Ten top tips for completing your Employer Annual Return

Ten top tips for completing your Employer Annual Return

1. File the returns by 19 May 2010. Late filing can result in a penalty which is £100 per 50 employees for each month or part month that your return is outstanding.
2. Nearly all returns must now be filed online. Make sure that you are set up to do this well in advance of the due date.
3. You must have paid any outstanding PAYE and NI by 19 April 2010 (22 April 2010 if you pay electronically).
4. You have to complete a return for all employees who have been paid at or over the lower earnings limit.
5. By 31 May 2010 you have to give a form P60 to all employees who your completed a P11 for and who still worked for you on 5 April 2010.
6. You need to complete a P11D for relevant employees by 6 July 2010. Late filing can result in a penalty which is £100 per 50 employees for each month or part month that your return is outstanding.
7. Any NI due on expenses and benefits on kind must be paid by 19 July 2010 (22 July 2010 if paying electronically).
8. If you are set up as an employer you must still file a return. If you have no entries then you will file a nil return.
9. If you are a sole director/employee company paying yourself a small salary you may still need to file an Employer Return. Your accountant may do this for you but check that it is included in your fee.
10. If this all sounds too complicated – get an accountant to do it for you!

Elaine Clark, www.cheapaccounting.co.uk