Online filing boost for employers’ returns

The vast majority of employers filed their annual returns online this year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.

In the run up to the filing deadline, paper returns accounted for just 1.4 per cent of the 2008/09 returns received.

Over 52 million returns were submitted, with 23.8 million filed online and 27.5 million transferred by electronic data interchange.

By 15 May only 735,000 paper returns had been sent to HMRC. Last year, paper returns amounted to 1.2 million.

For employers with 50 or more employees, filing online is compulsory.

However, HMRC has been encouraging businesses with fewer than 50 employees to file online with the promise of a £75 tax-free payment if they do so.

Date:27 May 2009