HMRC: 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: hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes/online-user-guide.pdf