HM Revenue and Customs has shared a scam warning to Self Assessment customers ahead of the tax bill deadline in January.

As HMRC prepare to issue email and SMS reminders, the department is urging customers to remain vigilant after nearly 800,000 tax-related scams were reported in the last year.

HMRC is warning customers to not be taken in by malicious emails, phone calls or texts, thinking that these are genuine HMRC communications referring to their Self Assessment tax return.

Fraudsters will use Self Assessment deadlines  to try and steal money or personal information from unsuspecting victims.

In the last year alone, HMRC has received nearly 360,000 bogus tax rebate referrals.

When is the HMRC Self Assessment tax return deadline?

The Self Assessment deadline is 31 January 2022 and customers may expect to hear from HMRC at this time of year.

More than 4 million emails and SMS will be issued this week to Self Assessment customers pointing them to guidance and support, prompting them to think about how they intend to pay their tax bill, and to seek support if they are unable to pay in full by 31 January.

HMRC issue advice ahead of Self Assessment tax return deadline

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.

“HMRC will also never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.

“Scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a tax rebate. Contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so if you are in any doubt whether the email, phone call or text is genuine, you can check the ‘HMRC scams’ advice on GOV.UK and find out how to report them to us.”

HMRC tax return scams to look out for and what to do

Criminals use emails, phone calls and text messages to try and dupe individuals, and often mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.

They want to trick their victims into handing over money or personal or financial information.

Customers can report suspicious phone calls using a form on GOV.UK; customers can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.