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With less than three months to go until electronic filing becomes mandatory for registered pension schemes, HMRC are urging pension scheme administrators to register as soon as possible for online filing.

From 16 October 2007, online filing will become mandatory for certain aspects of pension scheme administration. From that date 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.

Accounting for Tax (AFT) returns submitted for the 2nd quarter (ending 30 September), must be submitted online 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.

Pension scheme returns for 2006/07, must be submitted online, if they are not filed by 15 October 2007. The filing date for the pension scheme return for 2006/07 is 31 January 2008.

Event Reports for 2006/07 must be submitted online, if they are not filed by 15 October 2007. The filing date for the Event Report for 2006/07 is 31 January 2008.

Scheme administrators should be aware that 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.

In order to submit information online, the scheme administrators, or a practitioner acting on their behalf, will first need to be registered to use HMRC's Pension Schemes Online service. This can be done via HMRC's online registration page. A minimum of seven days should be allowed for the registration process as some information will be sent by post.

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."

HMRC have produced a guide for using the service aimed at scheme administrators and practitioners.

Link

HMRC: Register now for pensions e-filing