CTM94050 - CTSA: Penalties for late returns: Flat and higher rate penalties
FA98/SCH18/PARA17
The flat-rate penalty is:
- £100 if the company delivers the return within three months after the filing date
or
- £200 in any other case.
FA98/SCH18/PARA17 (3)
If the company:
- is within the charge to CT for three consecutive accounting periods for which returns have been required,
and
- is liable to a flat-rate penalty for each of the first two of those periods,
and
- fails to make a proper delivery of the return for the third of those periods,
the amount of the penalty for the third period increases to:
- £500 if the company delivers the return within three months after the filing date,
or
- £1,000 if the company delivers the return more than three months after the filing date.
These higher amounts are applicable to failures occurring in all successive accounting periods until the company delivers its return for an accounting period by the filing date. If the company then fails to deliver its return on time for the next accounting period the lower rates apply.
Example
A Ltd delivers returns for its accounting periods as follows:
| Accounting Period | Date Return Delivered | Penalty under Paragraph 17 |
|---|---|---|
| 31.12.13 | 1 month late | £100 |
| 31.12.14 | 4 months late | £200 |
| 31.12.15 | 1 month late | £500 (3rd consecutive accounting period) |
| 31.12.16 | 4 months late | £1,000 |
| 31.12.17 | On time | Nil |
| 31.12.18 | 4 months late | £200 |
| 31.12.19 | 1 month late | £100 |
| 31.12.20 | 1 month late | £500 (3rd consecutive accounting period) |