AS the deadline looms to get your self-assessment tax returns in (January 31, incase you were wondering), HMRC has revealed its best-loved excuses for failing to do them. 

Top spot goes to 'my mother-in-law is a witch and put a curse on me'.

Other inventive excuses include: 'I'm a DJ and was too busy leading a party lifestye... in a bowls club'

  • 'I've been cruising on my yacht - I only pick up my post on dry land'
  • 'My dog ate my post' 
  • 'I've been up a mountain in Wales and couldn't get any signal'

HMRC didn't accept any of these as legitimate reasons for not filing tax returns. 

If you miss the deadline, you could automatically be charged £100 and penalties increase the later the return is completed.