The reporting format enables paying agents to meet their obligations to report under section 17 or section 18 and the Savings Income Reporting regulations (SIR) at the same time. These links give more information on reporting under ss17/18 and SIR.
The European Directive on taxation of savings (EUSD or 'the Directive') provides for an automatic exchange of information relating to specified savings income between tax authorities. The Directive is implemented in the UK through The Reporting of Savings Income Information Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/3297, as amended by SI 2005/1539) which came into effect on 1 July 2005.
As agreed following consultation on the Directive, the Government aims to keep reporting obligations under the scheme as close as possible to the current ss17/18 reporting arrangements.
For more information on the Directive and the regulations see Countering cross-border tax evasion by individuals.
These notes give guidance on how to meet the reporting responsibilities you have under ss17/18. There are separate notes below for s17 and s18 and for 2010-11 and 2011-12. The changes between the years for each section are highlighted in the changes note.
There is also a link to the guidance notes on savings income reporting obligations under the Reporting of Savings Income Information Regulations (2003). Although a link is given in each year, the two links connect to same document as it does not change so often.
The notes do not affect any person's right of appeal. They are not a full statement of the law as it applies, or has applied.
The notes are in PDF format. To view a PDF document you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To save the notes to your hard drive, right click on the link and choose the save option.
You can make your returns in any approved media including paper. Full details of the approved media are in Appendix A of the Magnetic Media Specifications (see below). Whatever media is used (including paper) you must send all returns in the format HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) specify. There is more detail on the individual reporting formats below.
HMRC preference is that you use the specific secure option, Secure Electronic Transfer (SET), for sending your return. Information about SET is in Returns bulletin 4 and on the SET website page:
If you are not sending your return through SET please ensure all returns are clearly labelled and well packaged. HMRC recommend that returns are sent as securely as possible by means that record delivery or that can be tracked in the case of delivery failure.
These bulletins are issued as and when needed, not at specific times of the year, and include general advice on making returns, changes to the returns process, and security for a range of returns. While all guidance covers security in a general way, detailed, specific and up-to-date security measures are covered in these bulletins.
These set out the formats for reporting and give guidance on making your returns.
The specifications and formats described in these documents MUST be
used in these forms of return sent to HMRC. Any return that does not conform
to these specifications may be rejected and you may be regarded as either
having failed to make a return or as having made an incorrect return.
When submitting your live return or a test file on magnetic/optical media
please ensure that you complete a submission document and send it with
your return. HMRC usually issue pre-completed submission documents two
weeks after they issue the notice to make your return. They are also available
on request by contacting the Centre for National Information (see Contact
information below). Blank submission documents are available here to download:
If the number of lines you have to report is small (fewer than 500), you can submit your return on a spreadsheet instead of paper. Please use one of the spreadsheet templates below following the details in the appropriate example sheet. There is a short guide on the new spreadsheets available.
Guide to 2011 spreadsheets (PDF 36K)
Use spreadsheet 'S17 SIR refs A or B' if your institution reference begins with A or B.
Use spreadsheet 'S18 SIR refs L or S' if your institution reference begins with L or S.
Use spreadsheet 'SIR only for ref X' if your institution reference begins with X.
You can change the type of data entered on each line of the first two spreadsheets. There is no need on the SIR only.
The finished spreadsheet can be sent via SET by following the SET rules above.
If you wish to make your report on paper you must use the appropriate official form. Copies of the forms are attached to the links below. You must order the actual forms from the Orderline Tel 0845 900 0404. The ones here are for illustration only and cannot be used for your returns as they cannot be read by HMRC computers.
These notes give guidance on how to complete the report forms:
The forms are in PDF format. To view a PDF document you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To save the forms to your hard drive, right click on the link and choose the save option.
If you are reporting interest paid and returned in a currency other than sterling you must also report the ISO standard currency code (opens new window) for that foreign currency.
When reporting the country of residence for savings income reporting purposes you must use the appropriate ISO country code at Appendix 6 of the Savings Income Reporting Guidance Notes (PDF 392K).
Ss17/18 reporting are normally restricted to investors with addresses in the UK and other FR countries. For the list of FR countries go to:
Please note that EU Member States (other than the UK) stopped being Fully Reportable countries for ss17/18 purposes and became Prescribed Territories for Savings Income Reporting purposes, on 1 July 2005.
HMRC will give six months notice of any change to the list of FR countries.
Savings Income Reporting will be restricted to investors in the EU and other Prescribed Territories. The list of Prescribed Territories is in Appendix 1 of the Guidance notes (PDF 392K).
If the investor declares his/her residence to be in a country other than the EU or other Prescribed Territory but presents a passport or official ID card issued by another Member State, please refer to paragraphs 136-139 of Savings Income Reporting Guidance Notes (PDF 392K).
Please contact the following for further information.
To request forms please telephone HMRC Orderline on Tel 0845 900 0404 between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm Monday to Friday or between 8.00 am and 12.00 pm (noon) on Saturday.
HM Revenue & Customs
Centre for National Information
Tel: 0292 032 6379 or 7285
Email: CNI
Nicholas Wright
Tel: 0161 475 8577
Please only use this number for ss17/18 queries not general tax
queries.
Email: Nicholas
Wright
Graham Turner
HM Revenue & Customs
Charity Assets & Residence
European Savings Directive
St John's House
Merton Road
Liverpool
L75 1BB
Email: EUSD
HM Revenue & Customs
Centre for National Information
Data Capture Unit
Ground Floor
Ty Glas Road
Llanishen
Cardiff
CF14 5ZG
Tel: 029 2032 6379 or 7285
