THE deadline is looming for UK employers to get their 2011/12 annual returns to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Employer Annual Returns, which provide information on employees’ tax and national insurance deductions during the tax year, must be sent online to HMRC by May 19.
HMRC is writing this week to all employers who haven’t sent their return, to remind them to file on time. If a file is returned late employers will be faced with a penalty of £100 per 50 employees for each month or part month that the return is outstanding.
Employers who are not registered for online filing are advised to sign up as a matter of urgency for HMRC’s PAYE Online service. The registration process takes a few minutes, but employers won’t be able file online until they have activated the service using a code that HMRC sends in the post. This can take up to a week to arrive so it is recommended not to leave registration until the last minute.
HMRC has published a list of common errors to avoid on its website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye/payroll/year-end/errors.html
Help is available from HMRC via its Employers Helpline on 08457 143 143 or online at www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye/file-or-pay/fileonline.
