Pension schemes must e-file

Registered pension schemes must submit certain information electronically to HMRC from today (16 October 2007).

Previously, this information could also be submitted on paper. However, from today, pension scheme administrators will have to file the following electronically:

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 practitioners acting on their behalf) must register with HMRC’s Pension Schemes Online service. It can take up to seven working days to activate a new account – as some information has to be sent by post – so pension scheme administrators and practitioners who haven’t done so, should register as soon as possible. Early registration will ensure that administrators are ready to use Pension Schemes Online in advance of any filing deadlines.

Registering is easy – simply visit HMRC’s online registration page at 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).

Once you’ve received your ID, you can choose to send information using your own software, or the free software provided by HMRC.

HMRC’s Julie Elsey, Head of Pension Schemes Services, said: “If you’re a pension scheme administrator, and you haven’t registered to file online, you should do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may be storing up problems for the future.”

If you need further help or advice on using Pensions Schemes Online, HMRC has produced a guide for using the service, which is available on the HMRC website at hmrc.gov.uk

If that doesn’t answer your questions, the Pension Scheme Helpdesk can be contacted on 0115 974 1600.