# HMRC issues AI warning as UK households risk 'penalties’ > Source: > Published: 2026-06-27 12:46:08+00:00 # HMRC issues AI warning as UK households risk 'penalties’ ## Tax arm has warned that filing a VAT Return late “can lead to penalties” and urged people to “always check official guidance”. HMRC has issued a warning to people relying on AI summaries when checking VAT deadlines. The [Labour Party](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/labour-party) government's tax arm has warned that filing a VAT Return late “can lead to penalties” and urged people to “always check official guidance”. HMRC has warned on X, formerly Twitter: “Some AI platforms claim weekend VAT deadlines can be paid on the next working day. This is incorrect.” It added: “The VAT deadlines remain one month and seven days after your VAT period.” “If you’re registered for VAT, you must submit a VAT Return even if you have no VAT to pay or reclaim,” guidance published on Gov.UK reads. **READ MORE UK government told to lower social media ban age from 16 to new threshold** It adds: “The deadline for submitting your return online is usually one calendar month and 7 days after the end of an accounting period. This is also the deadline for paying HMRC. You need to allow time for the payment to reach HMRC’s account. “You must submit your return and make sure your payment reaches HMRC on or before the deadline, even if it’s on a weekend or bank holiday.” The Low Income Tax Reform Group added: "We understand that an increasing number of businesses and agents are submitting late VAT returns where the statutory due date falls on a weekend or bank holiday. "This appears linked to a possible reliance on third-party websites and AI tools which suggest HMRC allow these VAT returns to be submitted the next working day. This is incorrect. "VAT return submission deadlines are fixed in law and do not move when they fall on a weekend or bank holiday. "Submitting a VAT return late can result in late submission points or penalties. HMRC have confirmed that VAT returns can be submitted at weekends or on bank holidays. "If a business cannot submit on these days, it should submit by the last working day before the due date. VAT return payments should also be paid to HMRC by the due date, or the last working day before the due date. "