Glitch extends tax return deadline

Problems Thursday morning prevented thousands from filing

HMRC says systems are returning to normal levels of service

The self-assessment tax deadline has been extended by 24 hours after a technical glitch meant returns could not be filed for several hours this morning.

HM Revenue and Customs said nobody who files their return before midnight tomorrow will face the automatic £100 fine.

"The system is now rapidly returning to normal levels of service," said a spokesman.

Some 3.6 million taxpayers have already successfully filed online this year - with 104,000 successfully filing today.

Last year, 150,000 people filed their tax return on the last day of the deadline.