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  With the 31 January tax return deadline just around the corner, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed the 'Top 10 oddest excuses' for sending in a late return.
  
  The following bizarre, exotic and flimsy excuses have all been used by tardy taxpayers:
  
  1. My pet goldfish died (self-employed builder);
  
  2. I had a run-in with a cow (Midlands farmer);
  
  3. After seeing a volcanic eruption on the news, I couldn't concentrate on anything else (London woman);
  
  4. My wife won't give me my mail (self-employed trader);
  
  5. My husband told me the deadline was 31 March, and I believed him (Leicester hairdresser);
  
  6. I've been far too busy touring the country with my one-man play (Coventry writer);
  
  7. My bad back means I can't go upstairs. That's where my tax return is (a working taxi driver);
  
  8. I've been cruising round the world in my yacht, and only picking up post when I'm on dry land (South East man);
  
  9. Our business doesn't really do anything (Kent financial services firm); and
  
  10. I've been too busy submitting my clients' tax returns (London accountant).
  
  
  All of these people and businesses received a £100 penalty from HMRC for filing late. They appealed against the decision using these excuses, but were unsuccessful.
  
  HMRC's Director General of Personal Tax, Ruth Owen, said:
  
  "There will always be unforeseen events that mean a taxpayer could not file their tax return on time. However, your pet goldfish passing away isn't one of them."
  
  So there you are.

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