File a Company Tax Return - Introduction
This demonstrator will show you how to file your client’s Company Tax Return. You’ll find some pictures of the screens in the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online filing software to help you to familiarise yourself with the way it looks and works. Don’t worry if the content of a few of the screens in this guide varies slightly from what you see on-screen. These are minor differences that are introduced as part of regular updates and improvements to the online service.
You must have enrolled for and activated the Corporation Tax Online service before you can file your client’s Company Tax Return.
To use HMRC’s online filing software, you’ll need to make sure you have all the information to hand that you need to complete your client’s online Company Tax Return. This is the same information you would need if you were completing a paper return, for example accounts and financial statements.
You'll need Adobe Reader software version 9.2 or later installed on your computer to use all the functionality offered within the HMRC software. If you have an older version of Adobe Reader, HMRC recommends that you download the latest version from the Adobe website before you download HMRC's software. Although the download is free, it may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
In addition you will need to change the 'trust' settings on your computer before you are able to view, print, add attachments and submit your clients' Company Tax Returns.
The HMRC online filing software is a large file and may also take some time to download. Because you download the HMRC software onto your own computer system, you don't need to be online to fill it in. This means that, after you've downloaded it, you can save your work and come back to it as often as you like before you finally submit it to HMRC.
Online help, prompts and guidance are available throughout the HMRC software so you can check your entries and identify any errors as you work through each section of the Company Tax Return. If you're using the 'Accounts template' you can also access a sample set of accounts by following the link from the Accounts page.
