It's been some three months since the deadline for self assessment tax returns, and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are now charging people who have yet to settle theirs an extra £10 a day fee.

Alastair Douglas, CEO of , said: "Although the deadline was back in January, it's likely that hundreds of thousands of people still haven't filed their tax returns. And while the initial £100 fine might not have been enough to encourage some to get going, from today, HMRC will start charging late filers an extra £10 per day.

"This is on top of the staggering 8.5% late payment interest rate on outstanding balances." From September, those who have yet to pay will be given an extra 5% penalty on tax owed, or an additional £300, whichever is the greater amount.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Alastair highlighted that if you can't pay your tax due to a specific reason, you may be able to get the penalties waived. offers a list of "reasonable excuses" and these include:

• The death of your partner or a close relative shortly before the tax deadline
• An unexpected stay in the hospital
• Serious or life-threatening illness
• Computer or software issues preventing completion of returns or payments
• Issues with the online HMRC system
• Unpredictable postal delays affecting timely receipt of payment
• Lack of awareness or misunderstanding about tax obligations
• Dependence on a third party who failed to file on time

If you're struggling to pay your bill you can set up a "Time to Pay" arrangement. These usually need to be requested within 60 days after payment was due, and you also need to owe less than £30,000 and have completed filing your most recent tax return.

For those grappling with tax debts in England or Wales, free debt advice is available from In Scotland, consult for complimentary guidance.