Locked out of self assessment account for deadline

[Brookman42]

I am so stressed.

I was self-employed up until 5 years ago and then moved back into self employment at the start of 2024 when my mum became ill.

I asked HMRC to reactivate my account and like a total fool thought nothing more of it. I tried to log into my self assessment account at the start of my week to file my tax and pay with my government gateway ID. However my password wouldn't work. Then I realised that the email linked to the account was a blueyonder email that was disbanded by Virgin Media last year.
I've rang the online team 3 times to get my email changed. I've got through personal security fine, but keep failing at the business security. I have scoured my documents but they keep asking me info I do not have (the month and year I registered for self employment, the month and year I started trading). Basically it was 15+ years ago and I have autism. My mum did everything for me, including looking after all of my documents. Now she is in a care home with dementia and I don't know what happened to them.

I'm stuck. They have said I have to file a paper return and maybe appeal the penalty because of my disability. I am not going to lie and say that its made me so anxious that I'm consumed by it.

I really don't know what to do. They said I can't close the account and open a new one without going through security questions.

Does anyone have any advice?

 

[DWS]

I am so stressed.

I was self-employed up until 5 years ago and then moved back into self employment at the start of 2024 when my mum became ill.

I asked HMRC to reactivate my account and like a total fool thought nothing more of it. I tried to log into my self assessment account at the start of my week to file my tax and pay with my government gateway ID. However my password wouldn't work. Then I realised that the email linked to the account was a blueyonder email that was disbanded by Virgin Media last year.
I've rang the online team 3 times to get my email changed. I've got through personal security fine, but keep failing at the business security. I have scoured my documents but they keep asking me info I do not have (the month and year I registered for self employment, the month and year I started trading). Basically it was 15+ years ago and I have autism. My mum did everything for me, including looking after all of my documents. Now she is in a care home with dementia and I don't know what happened to them.

I'm stuck. They have said I have to file a paper return and maybe appeal the penalty because of my disability. I am not going to lie and say that its made me so anxious that I'm consumed by it.

I really don't know what to do. They said I can't close the account and open a new one without going through security questions.

Does anyone have any advice?

You could try and find an Accountant who would submit the tax return for you, although with only 2 days to go you may struggle there, and it would obviously cost.

 

[Lisa Thomas]

I really recommend you use an accountant. I think @DWS might be an accountant so you could start there. However if you don't find one on this forum please dm me as I know one who can probably help.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I agree use an accountant but You probably will miss the deadline by the looks of it

Dont get panicked by this you will have to pay 100 quid but just call that the cost of doing business and focus on getting things right with your new accountant

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I agree use an accountant but You probably will miss the deadline by the looks of it

Dont get panicked by this you will have to pay 100 quid but just call that the cost of doing business and focus on getting things right with your new accountant

And do appeal the penalty.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

And do appeal the penalty.

That's why you need an accountant

 

[eteb3]

That's why you need an accountant

I appealed a penalty for health-related reasons without any accountant help. had the sense that it was more or less waved through for a first time offence; and I seem to recall seeing data or policy that confirms that, though I can’t remember clearly.

As long as you can write a letter, I think you’re fine appealing yourself. It would be worth grubbing up the HMRC policy to ensure you include the details that will satisfy their appeals test