Aben Bookkeeping were pleased to see that HMRC extended the tax deadline for Storm Desmond victims. Storm Desmond was the Met Office's fourth named storm this winter and bought heavy rain and sever gales to southern Scotland, north England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland. Companies based in the area who are unable to complete their tax return need to send an email to sa@hmrc.gov.uk with the e-mail subject heading 'Severe weather – SA peak' and include the reason you are asking for additional time, the expected date you will file your return and the tax year you are referring to.
Rainfall during the storm on the 5 and 6 December broke UK records with Honister in Cumbria receiving 340 mm of rain in 24 hours.
The result was catastrophic flooding effecting thousands of people who were flooded out of their homes and businesses.
A fund of £50 million was announced by Chancellor George Osborne – so each family will be able to claim up to £5,000 from their local authority to prevent further flood damage. The governments Cobra committee announced that businesses affected would be given council tax and business rate relief.
Accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has estimated the cost of damage done by the storms at £500 million
Businesses effected by the storms include fabric maker Walker Greenbank, positioned on the banks of the river Lune– who make upmarket brands such as Sanderson and Morris & Co. McVites biscuit factory in Carlisle and paper manufacturer James Cropper.
For further information on paying your self assessment tax bill visit https://www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill/overview