Fri, 1 Apr 2011

RTI rollout sees one-year delay

The implementation of Real Time Information (RTI), due to go live in April 2012, has been delayed until April 2013 to ensure software developers undertake the necessary testing.

The one-year delay has come as a relief to those who had voiced concerns about the rapidity of the implementation and the lack of testing. Business consultant Yvette Lamidey, of Paris and Parks Consultancy, said: ‘I welcome the delay because it gives software providers the opportunity to test every package thoroughly.

‘Delaying it also allows HMRC to carry out its data cleansing,’ she added. A spokesperson for HM Revenue & Customs told Payroll World: ‘The overriding message from the 200-plus consultation responses we received, and feedback from the 50 seminars held, was that developers need sufficient time to develop products to support our pilot in 2012.’

PAYE online tools disadvantage some payrollers

HMRC’s decision to replace the Employer CD-ROM with online Basic PAYE Tools could disadvantage smaller payroll administrators, payroll professionals have warned. Nandos payroll manager Juliet Snuggs said downloading the tools took her a full day, and required assistance from her IT department. ‘A company like mine with 7,000 employees has IT department help, but what would a small employer do? It would be impossible for them,’ she said.

HMRC said: ‘In these cases, HMRC can supply the a disc to those who cannot access tools directly via the website,’ a spokesman assured.