Instead of tucking into turkey or unwrapping their gifts, 3,003 taxpayers completed their self-assessment returns on 25 December 2019, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Every year hundreds of people across the UK use the Christmas break as a time to manage their financial affairs, with HMRC declaring it a “Christmas tradition”.

HMRC said that peak times for self-assessment submissions on Christmas Day were between 12:00 and 12:59 when more than 245 customers filed online.

Incredibly, Boxing Day saw more than three times the number of submissions than Christmas Day with 9,524 taxpayers logging on to submit their tax records, while Christmas Eve was busier still with 22,035 self-assessment returns submitted.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Whether you squeezed it in before tucking into a Christmas pudding, after the Queen’s Speech or trying to grab a bargain during the festive sales; our online service is available for you to file your tax return, at any time you wish.”

More than 11 million customers are expected to complete a 2018/19 self-assessment tax return form by 31 January 2020, which is the final deadline for online submissions. Failure to submit your tax return on time could lead to an automatic fine of £100 with further penalties depending on the lateness of a submission.

For any taxpayers who are yet to start their 2018/19 self-assessment return, it is strongly advised that they seek professional assistance or gain help via GOV.UK or from the official self-assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310.

Even if taxpayers completed a self-assessment tax return last year but didn’t have any tax to pay, they will still need to fill out a 2018/19 tax return, unless HMRC has written to them to say that it is not required.

Link: ‘We've been Santa lot of Elf Assessments’ says HMRC