MORE North-west taxpayers missed the self-assessment deadline than anywhere else in the country.
Latest figures from the Inland Revenue reveal that just over 127,000 self assessment forms are still outstanding - five weeks after the January 31 deadline.
The North West total exceeds the London area by more than 4,000.
Subject to appeals, it could mean the Chancellor collecting nearly £13 million in fines from regional taxpayers who received self-assessment forms.
Mr Brent Wilkinson, Deputy President of the Manchester Society of Chartered Accountants, said it was disappointing that after two years of self assessment so many people were prepared to risk fines and penalties.
"It is important that people do not expose themselves to increased penalties due to further delays," he said.
Mr Wilkinson added: "Warnings were plentiful, but people make their own choices, like exceeding speed limits.
"It is foolish to part with money unnecessarily."
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