‘Aliens stopped me filing my tax return’ Dozy freelancers’ most bizarre excuses for late forms revealed

Vertigo, ex partners and even ALIENS were among the out of this world excuses from self-employed people for failing to hand in their tax return on time.

Imaginative and eye-opening complaints were included in late expenses and excuses to the taxman last year and, unsurprisingly, all were rejected.

One cheeky businessman suggested his one-man play touring schedule prevented him from filling out the tax return, while another claimed his ex-wife left it upstairs but he was unable to collect it because he “suffered from vertigo”.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have revealed the jaw-dropping excuses ahead of the annual deadline later this month.

One top excuse read: “I couldn’t file my return on time as my wife has been seeing aliens and won’t let me enter the house.

Another said: “I’ve been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play.”

Another said: “My ex-wife left my tax return upstairs, but I suffer from vertigo and can’t go upstairs to retrieve it.”

Angela MacDonald, HMRC Director General of Customer Services, said: “Each year we’re making it easier and more intuitive for our customers to complete their tax return, but each year we still come across some questionable excuses, whether that’s blaming a busy touring schedule or seeing aliens.

“However, help will always be provided for those who have a genuine excuse for not submitting their return on time.”

As well as excuses HMRC are also asked to sign off “questionable” items taxpayers try and expense – like a three-piece suite for their partner to sit in as they do accounts.

Taxpayers tried to expense vet fees for a rabbit, hotel room sevice for candles and prosecco, £4.50 for sausage and chips meal expenses for 250 days – all rejected.

Late tax-returns are fined an initial £100 fixed penalty and after three months £10 daily penalties are charged up to a maximum of £900.

After six months self-employed people face further penalties where they are charged five percent of the tax due.

Ms MacDonald added: “We also receive absurd expense claims from vet fees for a rabbit to room service at a hotel.

“It is unfair to make honest taxpayers pick up the bill for other people’s spurious claims, so HMRC will only accept sincere claims such as legitimate expenses for a job.

“If you think you might miss the January 31 deadline, get in touch with us now – the earlier we’re contacted, the more help we can offer.”