HM Revenue and Customs
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Register now for pensions e-filing
With less than three months to go until electronic filing becomes mandatory for registered pension schemes, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging Pension Scheme Administrators to register now for online filing.
From 16 October 2007, Pension Scheme Administrators will have to submit the following information electronically to HMRC:
* Applications to register a pension scheme;
* Registered
Pension Scheme Returns;
* Accounting for Tax Returns;
*
Scheme Administrator's Declarations;
* Event
Reports;
* Notifications of the winding-up of a registered
pension scheme; and
* Notifications of a scheme administrator
terminating their appointment.
To submit information online, Scheme Administrators, or a practitioner acting on their behalf, will need to be registered to use HMRC's Pension Schemes Online service.
Registering for Pension Schemes Online is easy. Simply visit HMRC's online registration page at https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/registration and select 'Pensions'. You can then apply for either a Scheme Administrator or a Practitioner ID (if you don't already have one). Please allow up to 7 working days to register as a Scheme Administrator, as some of the information you need will be sent to you by post - this is done to verify your identity.
Once you've received your ID, you can choose to send information using your own software, or the free software provided by HMRC. And once you're up and running, you can start to experience the benefits of online filing:
* automatic validation, which avoids errors and reworking;
*
quicker processing by HMRC;
* reduced administrative costs;
and
* easy access to information currently held by HMRC on
your scheme.
HMRC's Julie Elsey, Head of Pension Schemes Services, said:
"Thousands of pension schemes are already taking advantage of our online service, so get on board and experience the benefits of e-filing now. That way, you'll be well prepared for 'E-Mandation Day' on 16 October."
If you need further help or advice on using Pensions Schemes
Online, HMRC have produced a guide for using the service aimed at
Scheme Administrators and practitioners, which is available on the
HMRC website at the following address: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes/online-user-guide.pdf
If that doesn't answer your questions, the Pension
Scheme Helpdesk can be contacted on 0115 974 1600.
Notes for editors
1. The Scheme Administrator is responsible for fulfilling certain
functions including:
* registering the pension scheme with
HMRC;
* operating tax relief on contributions under the relief
at source system;
* reporting events relating to the scheme
and the Scheme Administrator to HMRC;
* making returns of
information to HMRC;
* providing information to scheme
members, and others, regarding the lifetime allowance, benefits
and transfers; and
* paying certain tax charges.
2. A Scheme Administrator can appoint a Practitioner to act on their behalf in relation to some of their duties.
3. Reports and returns can be filed online, either using HMRC's free software or third party software via HMRC's Pension Schemes Online service. (Visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk and click on 'Pension Schemes' under the 'Do it Online' menu).
4. The SA970 - Self Assessment Return for Pension Schemes - will continue to be issued on paper. It will not be mandatory to file any other form or return not listed above electronically.
5. Accounting for Tax (AFT) Returns submitted for the 2nd quarter (ending 30 September), must be submitted on line if they are not filed by 15 October 2007. The filing deadline for the AFT for the 2nd quarter is 45 days after the end of September, i.e. 14 November 2007.
6. Pension Scheme Returns for 06/07, must be submitted online, if they are not filed by 15 October 2007. The filing date for the Pension Scheme Return for 06/07 is 31 January 2008.
7. Event Reports for 06/07 must be submitted online, if they are not filed by 15 October 2007. The filing date for the Event Report for 06/07 is 31 January 2008.
8. E-mandated information submitted by paper after 15 October 2007 will be returned to the sender, and will be deemed as not received by HMRC.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk
