Tax officials apologise to 12,000 people

TAX officials have apologised to nearly 12,000 people who were wrongly sent penalty notices for the non-filing of tax returns.

Those affected by the blunder had been previously told that they no longer had to complete a self-assessment form because their tax bill could be dealt with through the pay as you earn (PAYE) system.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending out letters of apology to those who wrongly received its penalty notices warning them of £10 daily fines for non-filing which start on Tuesday.

A HMRC spokesman reassured those who have wrongly received notices that they do not need to do anything.