Martin Lewis warns HMRC letter recipients they must reply

Martin Lewis said anyone sent an HMRC self-assessment letter should reply; more than 1.3 million people were told they owed tax for 2023-24 and the filing deadline is January 31.

Personal finance commentator Martin Lewis has spoken about letters some people have received from HMRC asking them to complete a self-assessment tax return. He reported that people who have been sent such a form were told they must reply, and he emphasised the approaching filing deadline. Data cited in the piece shows over 1.3 million people were notified they owed tax for 2023-24, up from about 675,000 in 2021-22. The article also notes that income tax thresholds have been frozen and remain at current levels. Known details: - Martin Lewis said recipients told to complete a self-assessment form were instructed to reply, even if they believed they did not need to file. - The article reports more than 1.3 million people received letters saying they owed tax for the 2023-24 tax year, compared with about 675,000 in 2021-22. - The self-assessment filing deadline cited is January 31, and the piece lists penalties starting at £100 and interest on unpaid tax at 7.75%. - The story notes income tax thresholds have been frozen since 2021 and that freeze has been extended to 2031, with current threshold levels reported in the article. Summary: The report highlights a rise in the number of people told by HMRC that they owe tax for 2023-24 and a public warning from Martin Lewis about responding to self-assessment notices. The immediate procedural milestone is the January 31 self-assessment filing deadline, and penalties and interest for late or unpaid amounts are described in the article.