Help with share scheme annual returns
Plain English answers to the problems that hold up EMI and other share scheme end of year returns. Useful whether or not you use Share Scheme Return. Each page links to the HMRC guidance it is based on.
Deadlines and penalties
- ERS late filing penalties and how to avoid themWhat HMRC charges when a share scheme end of year return or nil return is late, and what to do if you get a penalty.
- Nil returns: when you need oneIf a registered share scheme had no reportable events, you still need a nil return by 6 July. When it applies and how to file it.
Why returns are rejected
- Why HMRC rejects ERS return attachmentsThe common reasons HMRC's ERS online service rejects an end of year return file, and how to fix each one.
- Do not put N/A in your ERS returnHMRC rejects ERS end of year attachments that contain N/A or not applicable. Here is what to do instead.
- Use the current template and do not change itHMRC rejects ERS attachments built on an old template or with changed sheets. Which template to use and what you must not change.
- Uploading CSV files instead of the templateHMRC accepts one CSV file per sheet instead of the .ods template. The naming and layout rules that catch people out.
Filling in the rows
- Which EMI sheet does each event go on?The EMI template has five sheets. Which events go on which, and what does not go on the annual return at all.
- Date format in ERS returns: yyyy-mm-ddEvery date in an ERS end of year return must be written as yyyy-mm-dd. How to fix dates that a spreadsheet changed.
- Decimal places and rounding in ERS returnsHMRC wants prices and market values to 4 decimal places and share numbers to 2. How to round, and which columns take which.
- National Insurance numbers on ERS returnsThe NI number format HMRC expects on share scheme returns, and the TN reference for employees who do not have one.
- Follow-on questions: disqualifying events and valuationsSome ERS questions only need an answer when an earlier question is yes or no. How the follow-on answers work, with the EMI disqualifying event numbers.
Let the free checker find these for you
Load your option register or finished return and see every row HMRC is likely to reject, with the reason and the fix. Nothing is uploaded, and you don't need an account.