IHTM36062 - Reasonable excuse: account lost or delayed in the post


The taxpayer is expected to allow sufficient time for the account to reach us by the due date. But where an account is posted in good time, you should normally accept as a reasonable excuse any unforeseen event that disrupted the normal postal service and led to the loss or delay of the account. This might include

  • a fire or flood at the Post Office where the account was handled, or
  • prolonged industrial action within the Post Office.