As the countdown to the Self Assessment tax deadline continues, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed the top five most outrageous personal expenses claims included in last year’s Self Assessment tax returns.

The ludicrous expenses range from furnishing a new flat to the meagre cost of storing Mars bars overnight in a fridge.

Here’s the top five list of bizarre expenses that some taxpayers have tried, and failed, to claim for:

  1. The costs for storing Mars bars overnight in a fridge

  2. The cost of a pair of flip flops so I don’t have to walk barefoot between my work’s changing and shower rooms

  3. The costs for my intimate waxing

  4. I bought a second hand car to get me from home to work so I didn't have to walk

  5. I purchased my own flat, so I need to claim back the money I spent on the furniture

You now only have less than one week left to submit your 2014-15 online tax return, with the deadline of Sunday (January 31) looming.

Ruth Owen, HMRC director general of personal tax, said: “There are a number of items and expenses that people can claim against, such as genuine business costs and items needed to do a job.

“But a painful beauty regime or the furniture for your own home are not items that every taxpayer in the country should be contributing towards.

“It’s wrong that a small minority of people expect the honest majority to subsidise their lifestyle and HMRC will never allow for these to be processed as genuine claims.

“With one week to go until the 31 January deadline it’s best to complete your tax return sooner rather than later. Our online service is quick and simple to use, with lots of helpful information – completing your tax return is easier than you think.”

HMRC recently revealed bad excuses for not filing tax returns such as " My husband ran over my laptop ."