Pension schemes are required in certain situations to complete and send Pension Scheme Returns (PSR), Accounting for Tax (AFT) Returns and Event Reports to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This guidance provides basic help on why and when to complete them.
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The scheme administrator is responsible for submitting the PSR, AFT Return and Event Reports. They can delegate this task but remain responsible for ensuring they're accurate and complete.
If HMRC need more information about a scheme they may send a notice to the scheme administrator telling them to complete a PSR, which the scheme administrator must submit to HMRC using the Pension Scheme Online Service. There are two versions of the PSR, one for occupational schemes and the other for non-occupational schemes.
This PSR shouldn't be confused with either the scheme return that needs to be sent to the Pensions Regulator or form SA970 Tax Return for Trustees of Registered Pension Schemes.
The notice to file letter sent by HMRC will state the date the PSR must be submitted by. If the PSR isn't received by the deadline the scheme administrator is subject to a £100 penalty. Daily penalties of £60 may also be charged if the return is still not submitted.
If you made a mistake on the original PSR you should send an amended PSR as soon as you can. You can submit amendments using the online service or on paper. Use the links below to find the form to use. The online service will allow you to start submitting an amendment 24 hours after you made the original submission.
APSS 301 - Amendment to a registered pension scheme return for occupational pension schemes
SA970 - Tax return for trustees of registered pension schemes (2012)
The scheme administrator is subject to tax charges when their scheme makes certain payments. The following tax charges must be reported and paid to HMRC using the AFT Return:
You must submit the AFT Return using the Pension Schemes Online Service.
The table below gives deadlines for when AFT Returns must be submitted and tax charges paid to HMRC.
AFT Return submission and tax payment deadlines
| Period when tax arises | Filing Date Deadline |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | 15 May |
| 1 April to 30 June | 14 August |
| 1 July to 30 September | 14 November |
| 1 October to 31 December | 14 February |
If the AFT Return or tax charge payments aren't received by the due date penalties will be charged - more in the link below.
If you need to amend the details of an AFT Return you've submitted you should submit an amended AFT Return as soon as you can. You must do this using the Pension Schemes Online Service. Include all of the original information plus the amended details.
Detailed guidance on the Accounting for Tax (AFT) Return
Pension scheme payments for scheme administrators
There are some events that occur in a pension scheme that must be reported to HMRC using the Event Report. The table below lists the reportable events for 2011-12 onwards. Event Reports must be submitted using the Pension Scheme Online Service.
| Event Report Number | Details of events to be reported |
|---|---|
| 1 | The scheme made or is treated as having made an unauthorised payment. |
| 2 | Payments of lump sum death benefit(s) of more than 50 per cent of the lifetime allowance. |
| 3 | Payment of benefits to a member under age 55 who is a scheme employer, director of a scheme employer (or associated company) or connected to such a person. |
| 4 | Payment of a serious ill health lump sum to a member who is a scheme employer, director of a scheme employer (or associated company) or connected to such a person. |
| 5 | The scheme stops paying out an ill health pension. |
| 6 | A member's benefits are tested against the lifetime allowance (a benefit crystallisation event) They have an enhanced lifetime allowance, enhanced protection or fixed protection, and their total benefits are more than the lifetime allowance. |
| 7 | Payment of a pension commencement lump sum which is both of the following:
|
| 8 | Payment of a pension commencement lump sum to a member with primary or enhanced protection and the lump sum is more than the maximum lump sum payable to a member without lump sum protection. |
| 8A | Payment of a stand-alone lump sum (100 per cent lump sum) and the member had either of the following:
|
| 9 | A transfer to a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme (QROPS) where the transfer was requested before 6 April 2012. |
| 10 | The scheme becomes or stops being an investment regulated pension scheme. |
| 11 | The scheme changes its rules to either:
|
| 12 | A scheme treated as two schemes by HMRC before 6 April 2006 changes any of its rules. |
| 13 | The schemes' legal structure changes. |
| 14 | The number of members at the end of the tax year has changed band compared to the band at the end of the previous tax year. The bands are:
|
| 18 | The scheme administrator is subject to a scheme sanction charge because of investment in taxable property. |
| 19 | The scheme changes its country or territory where it was set up. |
| 20 | The scheme becomes or stops being an occupational pension scheme. |
| 21 | Either a member or dependant moves into flexible drawdown - 2012-13 onwards. |
Follow the first link below for full descriptions of reportable events.
The Event Report must also be used to tell HMRC that a pension scheme has been wound up.
Detailed guidance on the Event Report submission process
The deadline date for submitting an Event Report is 31 January following the end of the tax year.
If a scheme has been wound up the Event Report must be submitted within three months of the date the scheme wound up.
If the Event Report is not received by the deadline a penalty of up to £300 may be charged. Daily penalties of up to £60 may also be charged if the report is still not submitted.
If you made a mistake on the original Event Report you should send an amended Event Report as soon as you can. You can submit amendments either by using the online service or on paper by completing:
The online service allows you to start submitting an amendment 24 hours after you've made the original submission.
Technical guidance on the Event Report
More about winding up a pension scheme
APSS 300A - Amendment to a registered pension scheme event report
APSS 300B - Amendment to a registered pension scheme event report
