Self Assessment

Technical specification 2012

What's new - last updated 21 January 2013

Get the latest updates - technical specifications may change frequently

On this page:

Generic documents for all returns

Gateway document submission protocol version 3.1 (PDF 612K)
Version date 6 March 2008

How to use the test service version 1.0 (PDF 46K)
Version date 24 October 2011

Non form validation rules version 1.2 (ZIP 29K)
Version date 25 October 2011

HMRC IRmark technical pack version 1.0
Version date 14 June 2004

Test in Live information version 1.0 (PDF 24K)
Version date 24 October 2011

Acceptable characters version 1.0 (PDF 16K)
Version date 24 October 2011

Copy declaration version 1.0 (PDF 11K)
Version date 24 October 2011

Attachment recognition version 1.0 (ZIP 13K)
Version date 23 February 2012

Local test service

Local Test Service (LTS) and LTS Update Manager (LTSUM)
Use this tool to test your software against HM Revenue & Customs rules within your own environment

Individual returns

Self Assessment Individual RIM artefacts version 1.2 (ZIP 6.6MB)
Version date 25 January 2012

Tax and National Insurance contributions calculations version 1.1 (ZIP 149K)
Version date 8 July 2011

Test case generator version 1.2 (ZIP 432K)
Version date 01 December 2011

MTR mapping document version 3.0 (ZIP 20K)
Version date 06 January 2012

Specials version 2.0 (PDF 88K)
Version date 15 December 2011

Exclusions version 8.0 (PDF 45K)
Version date 17 January 2013

Recognition process and additional test case data version 1.0 (ZIP 6K)
Version date 24 February 2012

Individual valid sample (XML 4K)
Version date 6 March 2012

Partnership returns

Partnership RIM artefacts version 1.0 (ZIP 5.4MB)
Version date 30 September 2011

Specials and Exclusions version 5.0 (PDF 73K)
Version date 22 May 2012

Recognition and Test cases version 3.0 (ZIP 49K)
Version date 24 February 2012

Partnership valid sample (XML 5K)
Version date 6 March 2012

Trust and estate returns

Trust RIM artefacts version 1.0 (ZIP 1.6MB)
Version date 30 September 2011

Validation rules for trusts version 2.0 (ZIP 62K)
Version date 11 August 2011

Trust long tax and National Insurance contributions Calculation version 1.0 (ZIP 49K)
Version date 28 June 2011

Trust calculator version 1.0 (ZIP 92K)
Version date 19 July 2011

Specials and exclusions version 2.0 (PDF 65K)
Version date 25 April 2012

Recognition Process and Test cases version 4.0 (ZIP 24K)
Version date 24 February 2012

Trust valid sample (XML 4K)
Version date 6 March 2012

Technical packs for previous tax years

Specifications for the following years are still available -

Self Assessment technical pack 2011

Self Assessment technical pack 2010

Self Assessment technical pack 2009

See also

Draft forms - Self Assessment

Meeting minutes - Self Assessment software developers forum

Identical Returns Information for software developers