Guidance: Electronic text file specifications for ISA annual returns

ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification

Use this guidance if you’re an Individual Savings Account (ISA) manager to find out how to submit annual returns of information electronically for tax years from 6 April 2021, using an electronic flat text file.

It describes the standard format in which returns created as text files can be submitted.

To get specifications for earlier years, email: [email protected].

ISA managers must make Returns of Information to HMRC under regulation 31 of the Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998 (Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 1870), as amended, within 60 days of the end of either:

the date they cease to qualify, or act as a manager

You can send returns by using the methods shown in this guidance or by following the guidance in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) for managers: making returns to HMRC.

ISA managers must report details for all ISAs and Junior Individual Savings Accounts (JISAs) they managed during the period covered by the return, including:

ISAs and JISAs that have been closed in the reporting period

JISAs that have been closed (but see paragraph 8.2.9)

ISAs and JISAs transferred out in full in the period covered by the return

ISAs and JISAs made void in the period covered by the return

ISAs and JISAs not proceeded with or cancelled in the period covered by the return within 30 days of opening

ISAs and JISAs closed prior to the year covered by the return

We can accept returns in either upper or lower case characters or any mixture of the 2. All data must be encoded in ASCII or UTF-8 character sets.

The allowable characters from these sets are described in Appendix C.

Managers must make a return by 4 June following the end of the period covered by the return. No further claims for payment will be processed until the return is received.

Penalties may be charged on managers under paragraphs 30 to 32 of schedule 23 FA2011 for failure to make a return or for making an incorrect return.