PAYE40024 - Employer returns: employer return - quality checks: form CIS36 only - 2005 onwards (Action Guide)

Note: This subject provides details of how to record receipt of employer returns for tax years from 2004 to 2005 onwards.

References to CIS in this Action Guide apply to the old CIS scheme for years up to April 2007, when ‘New CIS’ was introduced.

To carry out the checks required prior to recording receipt of a form CIS36 only for years 2005 to 2007, follow steps 1 - 8 below. The guide is presented as follows.

These checks must be made on the day the return is received.

Step 1

Year of return

Step 2

Initial action

Steps 3 - 6

Further checks

Steps 7 - 8

Contacting the contractor

For details of how to access any of the Employer Business Service functions, use PAYE057.

Year of return

1. Identify the year shown on the return

  • For returns for years 2005 onwards - go to step 2

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Initial action

2. Review the form CIS36 to see if it is marked ‘Succession’

  • If it is not marked ‘Succession’ - go to step 3
  • If it is marked ‘Succession’
    • Use Function AMEND EMPLOYER INDICATORS to set the CIS36 / SC35SUCC indicator for the year of the return
    • File the papers in a separate range to be linked in due course with the return from the successor

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Further checks

3. Review the return

  • Ensure that
    • Entries are legible and complete
    • The return is signed
    • The correct version of the CIS36 has been used
    • The return has been made using approved HMRC stationery
  • If the return passes the quality standard checks
    • Date stamp any return, not already stamped, with the date it was received, and
    • Record receipt of the return. Follow ‘Recording receipt of employer return (Action Guide)’ at PAYE41041
  • If it does not go to step 4

4. Look at the unclear entries on the return and decide whether

  • You can easily repair the errors found on the return in the office. If so go to step 5, or
  • You need additional information from the contractor. If so go to step 7

Note: When the return is received it must pass the quality standard checks. The return or return part may include the details required to quickly correct the error. Any errors, which can be easily repaired, can be corrected using green ink. Any returns which are incomplete or illegible must be returned to the submitter.

5. Strike through the entry on the return and put the clear entry above it

Note: You must use green ink for this purpose.

6. Receipt of the return can now be recorded

  • Date stamp any return, not already stamped, with the date it was received, and
  • Record receipt of the return. Follow ‘Recording receipt of employer return (Action Guide)’ at PAYE41041

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Contacting the contractor

7. Send back the whole return and any enclosures to the contractor immediately and

  • Explain why the return is not acceptable
  • Ask the contractor to correct the illegible figures
  • Inform them that this return has not been recorded as a complete return and therefore penalties may accrue under S98A(2) TMA 1970 if an acceptable return is not submitted by the due date

8. Use Function AMEND EMPLOYER NOTES to record your actions and then file the papers in the employer record pad. The note must show

  • The date the return was received
  • The reason it is not acceptable
  • The date the return was sent back to the contractor