I had to own up to a shameful secret when I got into work this morning.

It's a point of principle with the Taxation team that we get our tax returns in as late as possible.

Don't ask me why, it just is.

However, there is a fine line between 'late' and '£100 penalty'.

So last night at about 10.30pm I thought I'd just enter a few of the main figures into my online return, ready for me to finish it off today or (more likely) tomorrow.

An hour later it was done.

There didn't seem to be anything stopping me pressing 'submit', so I did.

Two whole DAYS early.

For a man who has good reason to know the Steeden v Carver rules inside out, as well as the location of the nearest tax offices with letter-boxes and 24 hour security guards, that's a miracle.

I blame online filing.

I know the system has had all sorts of problems and workarounds this year, but for the simple sort of return I have to complete it was a doddle.

From the discussion this morning in the office, not all of the team agree, but then I always was a glass-half-full man.

Or even a 'you might as well top it up, to save you coming back' man...

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