Generating and Filing an Electronic Return

Step 1 - Generating the Return

To access this screen select Reports, Electronic Tax Return.

Electronic Return Status

Select Live or Test.  Where Test is selected this will be indicated on the Transmit Internet Return screen.

Files to attach

HMRC will accept PDF attachments to tax returns filed electronically.  

• Select external PDF - allows the user to click the magnifying glass and browse the computer / network to find and select an existing PDF.

• Select from Communications Tracking - allows Practice Management users to attach accounts or other PDF documents stored within IRIS Communications Tracking.

• Remove - use to remove files which have been attached to the Electronic Tax Return.

Once a return has been generated it is possible to see the names of the files that have been attached as follows:

1. Select Reports, Transmit Internet Return.

2. Right-click on the return in question.

3. Select Properties from the pop-up menu

Generate the return

Once the Electronic Tax Return screen is complete, click OK.  A normal return will be printed and an Internet (XML) file automatically stored for later transmission to the Revenue.

Step 2 - Client Approval

Send the return to your client for signature and wait for it to be returned. If the client has made any changes to the return, the entire return must be reprinted and resigned. (Reprinting an Internet return will automatically overwrite the old XML file.

Step 3 - Transmit the Return

Select Reports, Transmit Internet Return, clicking on the arrow and selecting 'All clients' or 'Selected client'. Highlight the return(s) to be transmitted and click Transmit. The process should take about 30 seconds but can take longer. At the end of this time an acceptance or rejection message will be displayed on the screen. If there is no response from the Revenue after three minutes IRIS cuts the connection and leaves the return in a "pending" status. To pick up the response highlight the return and click Query Again.

Security

Practice Management users may add an extra level of security to the Transmit screen to prevent transmission of returns before they have been approved by the client.

To switch on the functionality the practice must update the tax return job profiles for individuals, partnerships, limited companies and trusts as follows:

1. Open System Maintenance.

2. Select Practice followed by Job Types / Profiles and for each of the tax return jobs:

   1. Click Profiles.

   2. Highlight the job stage that indicates a tax return has been approved by the client and select Edit.

   3. From the 'Automatically complete when' drop down list select the ‘Approval Received from Client’ event and select OK.

   4. Select Save and then Close the profile.