Employers reminded of annual return deadline

Employers are being urged to file their annual return (P35 and P14s) by the 19 May deadline or risk incurring a penalty.

HMRC has issued an urgent reminder ahead of the impending deadline warning that, unlike previous years, there will be no period of grace for late filers.

Last year no penalty was charged for employers with five or fewer employees, but these transitional arrangements have now ended.

From this year, employers will also be liable to a penalty if they file their annual return on paper (except in some very limited cases).

Under HMRC’s penalty regime, employers who file their return after the 19 May deadline will be charged a penalty of £100 per 50 employees for each month or part month that the return is outstanding.

If the return remains outstanding for more than four months, individuals will receive a penalty notice shortly after 19 September and again the following January and May, if necessary.

Further help is available from HMRC via its Employers Helpline on 08457 143 143 or online at www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye.