HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning people who have to complete a 2013/14 tax return that paper returns received after the 31 October deadline will result in a £100 penalty.

HMRC can issue the £100 late-filing penalty even if you have no tax to pay, or you pay your tax on time. The more you delay sending in your paper return, the more you could pay, as there are further penalties after three, six and 12 months.

Around 1.1 million people in the East of England have to file a Self Assessment return, including those in the following areas:

EAST OF ENGLAND 1.1m

Bedfordshire         80000

Cambridgeshire       124000

Essex                281000

Hertfordshire        249000

Norfolk              154000

Suffolk              136000

All Eastern England UA 101000

If you’re not able to submit a paper return by the end of the month, there is a simple way to avoid a £100 penalty – send your return online by 31 January.

As well as having an extra three months to send your return, filing online means your tax is calculated automatically and your return is processed faster. This means any tax refund you’re due is repaid more quickly. Registering for online filing is easy – visit the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment and follow the instructions.

Whichever way you choose to submit your return, the deadline for paying any tax you owe is 31 January.

Help and advice on filing your return is available from the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns or from the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 (open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4pm on Saturday).