On 23 June 2017, HMRC announced that the filing deadline for submitting your Employment Related Securities (ERS) online returns for the 2016 to 2017 tax year would be extended to 24 August 2017.

The original deadline of 6 July 2017 has been extended in light of a number of customers reporting issues with the submission of their annual returns.

In the announcement (made in ERS Bulletin No 24), HMRC also confirmed that the system is now working and will readily accept Output Delivery System (ODS) templates and CSV files.

Penalties for Late Returns

If you do not file your return by the extended deadline of 24 August 2017, the first late filing penalty of £100 will be issued on 25 August 2017.

Subsequent penalties will be calculated as follows: –

• Additional automatic penalties of £300 will be charged if your return is still outstanding 3 months after the original deadline of 6 July;

• You will receive a further £300 penalty if it is still outstanding 6 months after 6 July; and

• Daily penalties of £10 a day may be charged if your return is still outstanding 9 months after the 6 July.

Checking for Errors

You can still access the ERS checking service to check for any formatting errors before you submit your annual return by clicking “View Schemes and Arrangements” via the Company’s PAYE for employers account.

ERS Annual Return Assistance

Pett, Franklin & Co. LLP are experts in employee share schemes, executive incentives and share valuation. If you require assistance with preparing your ERS annual return, please call 0121 281 5798 or email enquiries@pettfranklin.com.