The 6 October 2014 deadline for submitting 2013/14 personal tax returns is now less than a month away.

If the Income Tax Division has not received personal tax returns for the year ended 5 April 2014 by 6 October 2014, taxpayers will be charged a ?100 penalty. If the return has still not been received by the Division by 6 April 2015, a further ?200 penalty will be charged. Even if the penalties are paid, the tax return must still be submitted and people may be prosecuted for failing to do so.

Taxpayers are reminded that they can submit their tax return online. Anyone who is interested in doing so should register for Government Online Services and then follow the link to enrol for Income Tax Services as soon as possible and not leave it to the last few days before the return deadline.

To register they should go to www.gov.im/onlineservices and select ‘Income Tax’ where video guides to assist in completion of the registration and enrolment process and their income tax return can also be viewed. Assistance can also be provided in completing the process either in person at the Income Tax Division or by telephoning 685400.

Using Online Tax Services enables people to deal with their tax affairs from the comfort of their own home and avoid the potentially large queues at the Income Tax Division office, particularly in the final weeks before the deadline. Online Government Services can also be used to pay rates and electricity bills, Vehicle Tax and Penalty Notices.

Alternatively returns can be put through the letterbox at the front entrance to, or on the 2nd floor inside Government Office.

If anyone requires a duplicate tax return, then they should contact the Division as soon as possible in order that a return can be issued and returned before the deadline.