PEOPLE who have missed the deadline for handing in self-assessment tax returns have been given some good advice by business advisers HLB Kidsons.

Missing the deadline may be a good thing because it will force people to take a longer, harder look at their tax returns, according to the firm.

"Those who submitted their return by September 30 may well have opted to have the Inland Revenue do the computation for them and that is precisely what they will do," said Les Bury, partner at HLB Kidsons' office in Blackburn.

"They will calculate the tax liability based on figures you supplied. What they won't do is explain the variety of tax reliefs which are available, discuss with you what could be offset against your tax bill. Nor will they undertake to do any of your tax planning and try and minimise your tax bill."

Anyone yet to complete their self-assessment return have three months left to meet the final deadline of January 31.

HLB Kidsons said people should use the time wisely to gather all the information they need to legitimately minimise their bill.