HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced an extension to the filing deadline for 2011 Self Assessment tax returns, due to planned strike action on 31 January.

The deadline is now 2 February 2012.

A statement released by HMRC read:

Self Assessment deadline

To make sure our customers are not disadvantaged if they cannot get through to HMRC’s call centres on 31 January, we will not impose any late filing penalties for people who file their Self Assessment returns on 1 and 2 February.

The SA deadline remains midnight on 31 January. But HMRC will treat all returns that come in by midnight on 2 February as though they were submitted by 31 January. No customer will have to pay interest on payments due on 31 January that are paid on 1 or 2 February.

Acting Director General Personal Tax, Stephen Banyard, said: “We’ve always been very clear that we want the returns – not the penalties. For that reason, we don’t want anyone who can’t get through for help and advice on 31 January to be disadvantaged in any way.”

Of course, it is still important that the deadlines are met, as the penalties for the late submission of your tax return can be quite nasty.  Details of how to pay your tax can be seen here.