Penalty charge

[Tax123]

Have a penalty charge from hmrc for not filing tax return. Used to be self employed a year and a half ago and been on maternity allowance and some uc for nearly a year. I have bad PND and I didn’t realise I had to do tax return as I assumed they would know I was on matt allowance and not working as it’s through hmrc. Is there any way of getting out of the fine ? I know £100 isn’t a lot to some people but it is to me , il struggle to afford it.

Have you called them to discuss it?

not yet I wasn’t sure of the best thing to say

Call them and explain the situation. They will probably give you an address to send an appeal letter to.

I've always found them very helpful on the phone. Give them a ring and see what happens.

Call them and tell them about your PND, you may get the fine cancelled. Ask them to take you out of the self assessment system so this doesn't happen again.

What would you have had to fill the tax return for? Did you earn income?

Thanks Everyone for the advice will call them tommorow
@Northernwarrior no I haven’t earned since my last tax return I used to be self employed , I’ve had a baby I’m on matt allowance.

If you're on self-assessment you have to fill in a tax return every year, regardless, until you are taken off self-assessment.

File the late return then contact them about the penalty and explain your circumstances. They will be very likely to waive it. If you don't file the return they will just ask you to do that so no point phoning them til it's done.