Self-employed estate agents who have not yet filed their tax return have just two days left to meet the 31 January deadline or face a late filing penalty of £100.

HMRC has issued a penalty warning to some 3.4 million taxpayers who have not returned their self-assessment form ahead of the deadline to file a tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year.

The penalties for late returns are:

– an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay or if the tax due is paid on time

– after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900

– after 6 months, a further penalty of 5 per cent of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater

– after 12 months, another 5 per cent or £300 charge, whichever is greater

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “Time is running out for the millions still to file their Self Assessment tax return by January 31.

“Help and support is available for those who have not yet started their return.

According to HMRC, 8.6 million of those who should do so – around 66% – have already filed their tax return.

Once a tax return is filed, payments can also be made through the HMRC app.