ICAEW: RTI annual scheme fix expected in July

A “FIX” to an issue with annual PAYE systems will be made by HMRC later than expected, according to the ICAEW.

In a blog post made by its tax faculty, the institute said that provisions supposed to be already in place for employers who have registered their PAYE schemes as annual with HMRC meant they did not need not to submit nil employer payment summaries (EPS) for the eleven months during which no-one is paid. Instead, one full payment submission would be required for the month of payment.

However, the ICAEW was told by employers in April that HMRC’s employer helplines know nothing about the easement and there is a problem registering new schemes as annual.

Having initially expected the issue rectified by 17 May, it now appears it will be corrected by July, with an announcement expected on HMRC’s What’s New page.

Until then, it will not be possible to register schemes as annual and employers will need to submit nil EPS for the months in which no-one is paid.