The 19 May deadline for Employer Annual Returns is fast approaching and HMRC are issuing a final reminder to employers to file on time or face a late-filing penalty. So far, over 27.1m returns, (a P14 for each individual employee and a P35 summarising the details for their entire workforce) have been received online.
Large employers, with 50 or more employees, must file their 2008/09 Employer Annual Return online, or they could face an additional penalty. Smaller employers, with fewer than 50 employees, can still file their return on paper, but will qualify for a £75 tax-free payment if they file online.
To file online, employers must first register with HMRC's "PAYE Online for Employers" service. It can take up to a week to get the Activation PIN after registering, so don't leave it until the last minute before the filing deadline.
Agents, tax advisers or payroll bureaux can also file on behalf of employers. Small employers will still qualify for the £75 tax-free payment, whether they file online themselves or through one of these intermediaries.
Full details are available here