Get £250 for filing your PAYE Return online by 19th May Deadline

   

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is reminding employers that they must file their Employer's Annual Return by 19 May 2006, and can do so online.

Employers with 50 or more employees must file their Return online, or face a penalty.

While employers with fewer than 50 employees do not have to file online, they get £250 tax-free from HMRC if they do so, and still qualify for the tax-free payment if an agent or bureau files online for them.

This year HMRC's online Returns service will be applying quality checks to all Returns, and rejecting those with errors. The submitter will receive a message almost immediately after submission if their Return is rejected, explaining why. If this happens, they must correct and resend the Return without delay, no later than 19 May to avoid a penalty notice.

Don Macarthur, HMRC's Employer Programme Director, said: "Filing online is secure and convenient. I would strongly encourage employers to check their returns for common errors. There's a checklist available at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/commonerrors. The most common mistake is not getting the Employer's PAYE Reference right.

"Employers should file as early as they can to leave extra time for any corrections, and they may find things a little smoother if they avoid peak times, especially 17-19 May, and office hours. Or, if their software lets them send the Return overnight."

Employers required to file their Return online must first register by visiting http://www.hmrc.gov.uk, clicking on 'PAYE for Employers', and then selecting 'Register'.