HMRC issues 'urgent reminder' to employers

Date: 10th May 2011

Small businesses operating in the UK have been reminded of the forthcoming deadline for annual returns.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published an "urgent reminder" letting employers know that May 19th marks the final day that Employer Annual returns can be submitted.

The department warned that those firms failing to comply with the schedule will face a penalty.

HMRC also sought to remind businesses that a extra-statutory concession, which in the last has given firms extra time to file, has now been removed.

"From this year, employers will be liable to a penalty if they file their annual return on paper. Last year, no penalty was charged for employers with five or fewer employees, but these transitional arrangements have now ended.

"Smaller employers, or their agents or bureaux, can file their employee data securely online using HMRC's 'Online Return and Forms – PAYE' product. And employers with fewer than ten employees can use HMRC's basic PAYE tools to file their Employer Annual Return online."

Posted by Thomas Fletcher