EMPLOYERS are being reminded to get their expenses and benefits forms filed on time or risk hefty penalties with this year’s deadline on the horizon.

The alert has come from Worcestershire tax expert Anita Stewart who said many employers often leave it too late and will end up incurring a daily charge if they miss the July 6 deadline.

Over recent months, HMRC has been increasing its checks on tax returns and particularly on benefits and expenses that are not put through payroll systems.

The payments have to be recorded on a P11D form and employers who are late returning them to the taxman face a £300 penalty plus £60 for every additional day until they are received. And anyone found to be negligent or fraudulent on the forms faces fines of up to £3,000.

Mrs Stewart, partner at Bewdley-based DHJH Chartered Accountants, said the P11D is an area many businesses ignore at their cost when completing tax returns.

She said: “It is very easy for HMRC to check on P11D forms and businesses who neglect their obligations can end up facing a costly enquiry.

“The law requires employers to disclose all the expenses they pay to their employees such as travel, subsistence, private medical insurance and car, van or fuel allowances. It applies to any member of staff earning more than £8,500.”