Why do people leave filing their tax returns to the last minute?

As we approach the 31 January filing deadline for filing personal self assessment tax returns, I asked a few taxpayers why they leave things to the last minute.

A selection of their replies follows:

• Flights to Panama are cheaper in January.
• I've made HMRC my best and only deal available. It's their choice to either accept it, walk away, or it's no deal.
• Fear of figures
• My girlfriend said she'd do it for me
• HMRC = Hold Money Past Christmas
• I Have Many Reliefs to Claim
• Hope My Rebate Comes
• I know exactly when the last minute is. The first minute though...?
• If it wasn't for the last minute I'd never get anything done.
• I've got plenty of time as the last minute isn't due for another 4 or 5 billion years.