Taxman warns on e-pensions deadline

With mandatory e-filing for registered pension schemes only a month away, the tax office is urging pension scheme administrators to make sure they're ready.

From 16 October, pension scheme administrators will have to submit some types of information electronically, including applications to register a pension scheme, registered pension scheme returns and event reports.

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To submit information online, administrators must register with HM Revenue & Custom's (HMRC) Pension Schemes Online service. But it can take up to seven working days to activate a new account - as some information has to be sent by post - so HMRC is urging those who haven't yet done so to sign up now.

Head of HMRC's pension schemes services, Julie Elsey, said in a statement: "If you're a pension scheme administrator, make sure you're ready for the changes. By acting now, you can help avoid any problems in the future."

Once they've received an ID, users can choose to send information using their own software, or the free software provided by HMRC. More details can be found at the HMRC website.