One million schemes use new PAYE system

Over one million employer PAYE schemes have started to report Pay as You Earn (PAYE) in real time since it was launched last month, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced today.

The new PAYE reporting system, known as Real Time Information (RTI), started on 6 April 2013. Under RTI, employers report PAYE in real time from their first pay day on or after 6 April each time they pay their employees, rather than yearly.

Ruth Owen, HMRC’s Director General Personal Tax, said:

“RTI is bringing PAYE into the 21st century, and it is amazing that we have reached the one million mark in less than a month. This is at the top end of our expectations. However, we’re not complacent and are carefully monitoring submissions, but so far things are going well.

“We have had lots of feedback from many employers saying that RTI is easy to use. We know it will take time before all employers adapt to RTI, but any who haven’t started reporting in real time should do so quickly. All the help they need is on HMRC’s website.”

Guidance on reporting in real time is constantly updated on the HMRC website and includes hints and tips for employers. It can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/rti

Other support includes:

·  A range of RTI software – including free software for micro businesses with nine or fewer employers

·  Pre-recorded and live webinars – which are available from the “know where to find extra help” section on the RTI pages on the HMRC website 

·  YouTube video “Accurate Employee Information matters”

·  Regular Twitter Q&As @HMRCgovuk

Notes for editors

1.  The RTI pilot was launched in April 2012 with just 10 employers.

2.  By the end of the pilot, on 5 April 2013, over 6 million individual records were being reported in real time.

3.  All employers received letters about RTI in February 2013 and October 2012.

4.  Employers still need to send their end of year return (P14s and P35) for the year 2012–13 by 19 May 2013. 

5.  Employers who haven’t paid anyone should let HMRC know that they don’t owe HMRC any money by sending an Employer Payment Summary (EPS).

6.  Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk

7.  HMRC’s flickr channel www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk