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People in north most likely to complete tax return on time - HMRC

 For every 10,000 returns submitted in the north in the 2013-14 tax year, 223 were late
 For every 10,000 returns submitted in the north in the 2013-14 tax year, 223 were late  For every 10,000 returns submitted in the north in the 2013-14 tax year, 223 were late

PEOPLE living in the north are the most likely to complete their tax return without delay, figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) show.

For every 10,000 returns submitted in the north in the 2013-14 tax year, 223 were late.

In Wales, there were 259 late returns for every 10,000, while Scottish people made 291 late returns for every 10,000 submitted.

Those in England were the worst for late returns, sending in 297 per 10,000 after the deadline. Taxpayers in London were the worst performers in England, completing 402 returns late for every 10,000.

The figures are reveal that men are more likely than women to get their tax returns in on time.

Some 294 out of every 10,000 tax returns submitted by men were late, while women had a higher late return rate of 303 for every 10,000 in the 2013-14 tax year.

Older people are also better at getting their returns in on time, the research, released ahead of the January 31 self-assessment deadline, found.

The over-65s had a late return rate of 118 out of every 10,000 tax returns, compared with a rate of 949 per 10,000 returns for 18 to 20-year-olds.

Looking across industries, the agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors came out top for getting their tax returns in on time, with just 71 in every 10,000 returns submitted late.

Those working in the administrative and support services were worst at getting their returns in on time, with a rate of 359 late returns for every 10,000.

People in self-assessment who do not get their 2014-15 tax return in by January 31 and pay anything they owe face a £100 penalty, plus possible further charges.

Ruth Owen, HMRC director general of personal tax, said: "Our advice is to not leave it until the eleventh hour - act now to prevent getting caught up in a last-minute rush."