A significant number of workers over the age of 65 filed a tax return for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said that overall, those aged 65 and over accounted for 16 per cent of individuals who submitted a tax return.
The new data is part of an analysis by HMRC into the demographic data of the Self Assessment population.
The figures appear to confirm that more and more workers over retirement age are returning to the workplace.
The HMRC Self Assessment data shows:
More than 12 million people are expected to file a Self Assessment tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year. Anyone yet to submit theirs has until 31 January to complete it, pay any tax owed or set up a payment plan, or risk having to pay a penalty.
In 2022, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) from April to June, showed the number of people aged 65 years and over in employment increased by a record 173,000 in the quarter to 1.468 million.
This increase was driven by rises in part-time work, and those who joined employment worked relatively few hours.
Experience of older workers
The industries where this type of employment was more common included hospitality and the arts, entertainment and recreation.
Both sets of data would appear to confirm that employers value experienced workers who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the workplace. This can help increase productivity and morale.
Additionally, having a diverse age range of employees can help bring a variety of skills to the workplace, which can help with problem-solving as well as assisting with training.
Offering flexible hours, providing training opportunities and implementing programmes that promote healthy lifestyles are some of the ways employers can make their workplace more friendly for older workers.
Need help with Self Assessment or related taxation matters? Contact us today.
