PEOPLE are being urged to return their self-assessment tax returns online and on time.

With the January 31 self-assessment filing deadline only weeks away, HM Revenue and Customs is anticipating more people than ever will complete their tax returns online.

Nationally last year 2.9m filed their self-assessment forms online - more than 800,000 up from the previous year.

In Greater London 1,249,000 people filed a return online in the tax year 2005/2006 and in Kent the figure was 241,000.

So far HMRC has issued 9m returns for the 2006/07 tax year but anyone who has not yet registered for an online self-assessment form and wishes to do so must act quickly.

In the 24 hours leading up to last year's January 31 deadline HMRC received 150,000 returns.

Filing online is safe, secure and convenient says HMRC and other benefits include:

  • the tax calculation is automatic;
  • you get an immediate acknowledgement;
  • if you are owed money, you'll get a faster repayment;
  • customers can view their liabilities and payments in an online statement of account and receive reminders by secure email or text messages;
  • your return can be completed in stages, as it can be saved for up to 30 days; and
  • it's available day or night, so you can use it whenever it's convenient for you.

To register for online filing, visit hmrc.gov.uk, select Self Assessment from the 'Do it online' menu, and follow the instructions.

Once this is completed, a pin number will be sent to you through the post. It may take up to 7 days for your pin number to arrive, so register as soon as you can.

If you need any help with your return, you should visit the self assessment pages on the HMRC website at hmrc.gov.uk/sa where there is a mass of useful information.

Or, if you prefer speaking to someone, then call the self assessment helpline on 0845 900 04444, which is open seven days a week between 8.00am and 8.00pm.

A video podcast on Self Assessment has also been produced by HMRC, and is available for download from www.hmrc.gov.uk/podcasts