Guidance

Electronic text file specifications for ISA annual returns

Updated 22 April 2021

ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification

1. Introduction

Use this guidance if you’re an 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:

• 5 April each year
• 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.

2. Overview

2.1 Reportable plans

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

• ISAs and JISAs transferred in
• ISAs and JISAs that have been closed in the reporting period

They should not include:

• 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

2.2 Allowable character sets

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.

2.3 Late and incorrect returns

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.

3. Glossary

3.1 Return

A Return of Information under regulation 31 of the Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998. It will consist of one or more sub-returns.

3.2 Sub-return

A sub-return is a sub-division of a return. It consists of one or more batches.

A manager may split a return into 2 or more sub-returns if it’s more convenient than providing the information on one return.

This may be appropriate where, for example the manager:

• more than one system
• has a regional system and is unable to collate the information

Managers who want to split their returns into 2 or more sub-returns should first contact HMRC (see Appendix D – contact information).

3.3 Batch

A sub-division of a sub-return.

Sub-returns that contain more than 1GB of data must be split into batches, each of which may contain up to 1GB of data. Sub-returns that contain less than 1GB of information may be split into batches or submitted in one batch.

3.4 Structured name

Investors’ names are held in a structured format where the titles, initials or forenames and surname are held in separate fields on the manager’s system.

3.5 Unstructured name

Investors’ names are held in an unstructured format where the titles, initials or forenames and surname are held in a single field on the manager’s system.

4. Return format

4.1 Record types

Each batch consists of 3 record types:

• TYPE 1
• TYPE 2
• TYPE 3

4.2 TYPE 1 record

The batch must start with a TYPE 1 Record. The TYPE 1 record identifies the manager making the return and defines the format of the TYPE 2 records that follow. It’s also a batch management record.

4.3 TYPE 2 record

One or more TYPE 2 records follow the TYPE 1 record. The TYPE 2 records contain information about each account (ISA or JISA) held by the manager.

TYPE 2 records should give details of the beneficial owner of the account, and not, for example, the registered contact.

Managers should complete TYPE 2 records for all accounts under management during the reporting period, with the exception of accounts transferred out in full, made void, or not proceeded with in that period and JISA accounts that have been closed (but see paragraph 8.2.9).

The records do not need to be sorted (for example, in alphabetical order).

4.4 TYPE 3 record

A single TYPE 3 record follows the last of the TYPE 2 records in the batch. The TYPE 3 record contains a count of the number of accounts reported in the batch.

4.5 Field class

Record fields may be mandatory, non-mandatory or conditional.

Mandatory fields (indicated by an ‘M’ in the ‘Type’ column) must be completed using one of the values described.

Non-mandatory fields (indicated by an ‘O’ in the Type column) should be completed with data where possible, otherwise complete with spaces or zeros.

Conditional fields (indicated by a ‘C’ in the ‘Type’ column) must be completed where the conditions stated are met, otherwise complete with spaces or zeros.

5. TYPE 1 record structure

Data item name	Format	Type	Notes
RECORD TYPE	CHAR 1	M	Enter ‘1’.
RETURN TYPE	CHAR 10	M	Enter ‘ISA’. Left justify, pad with spaces.
ISA MANAGER REF	CHAR 8	M	Enter the reference given by HMRC for the purpose of submitting the return (see paragraph 8.1.1). Format is Z9999/99.
ISA MANAGER NAME	CHAR 50	M	Enter the name (only) of the ISA Manager submitting the return. Left justify, pad with spaces.
TAX YEAR	CHAR 4	M	Enter the tax year in which the reporting date falls (see paragraph 8.1.2). Format is CCYY.
BATCH NUMBER	CHAR 2	M	Enter the batch number within the sub-return, starting at ‘01’. Format is 99. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
TOTAL NUMBER OF BATCHES	CHAR 2	M	Enter the total number of batches within the sub-return. Format is 99. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
INVESTOR TITLE LENGTH	CHAR 2	M	Enter the number of characters to be used to supply titles in INVESTOR TITLE field. Enter ‘00’ if either an unstructured name is always entered in INVESTOR NAME FIELD, or The investors’ titles are not held. Format is 99. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
INVESTOR FORENAMES LENGTH	CHAR 2	M	Enter the number of characters to be used to supply forenames and initials in INVESTOR FORENAMES field. Enter ‘00’ if an unstructured name is always entered in INVESTOR NAME field. Format is 99. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
INVESTOR NAME LENGTH	CHAR 3	M	Enter the number of characters to be used to supply for structured names, the investor’s surname, or for unstructured names, the investor’s full name in INVESTOR NAME field. Format is 999. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
INVESTOR ADDRESS LINE LENGTH	CHAR 2	M	Enter the length of the address lines in INVESTOR ADDRESS field. Format is 99. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
INVESTOR ADDRESS LINE COUNT	CHAR 2	M	Enter the number of address lines in INVESTOR ADDRESS field. Format is 99. Right justify, pad with zeros (but pad with spaces allowed).
INVESTOR POSTCODE SUPPLIED	CHAR 1	M	Enter ‘Y’ if the postcodes are held separately from investors’ addresses or ‘N’ if the postcodes are held as part of investors’ addresses (see paragraph 8.1.3).

6. TYPE 2 record structure

Data item name	Format	Type	Notes
RECORD TYPE	CHAR 1	M	Enter ‘2’.
INVESTOR REFERENCE NUMBER	CHAR 20	M	Enter the reference by which the ISA or JISA investor is known to the ISA manager (see paragraph 8.2.1). Left justify, pad with spaces.
TYPE OF ACCOUNT	CHAR 1	M	Enter: ‘X’ if the account is an ISA which does not offer flexibility and there were no subscriptions in the period covered by the return other than additional permitted and defaulted subscriptions. ‘Y’ if the account is a JISA and there were no subscriptions in the period covered by the return. ‘Z’ if the account is an ISA which offers flexibility and there were no subscriptions in the period covered by the return other than flexible ISA replacement subscriptions, additional permitted subscriptions and defaulted subscriptions. Where there has been a subscription in the year (but see above for current year’s subscription transferred out) ISA managers must enter: ‘A’ if the ISA is a cash ISA ‘B’ if the ISA is a stocks and shares ISA. ‘C’ if the JISA is a cash JISA. ‘D’ if the JISA is a stocks and shares JISA. ‘E’ if the ISA is an innovative finance ISA which does not offer flexibility. ‘F’ if the ISA is a cash ISA which offers flexibility. ‘G’ if the ISA is a stocks and shares ISA which offers flexibility. ‘H’ if the ISA is an innovative finance ISA which offer flexibility. Where the ISA account represents a matured Child Trust Fund (CTF) account that was opened without instruction from the CTF holder, ISA managers must enter: ‘S’ if the ISA is a stocks and shares ISA with investments from a matured CTF account. ‘T’ if the ISA is a cash ISA from a matured CTF account.
STRUCTURED NAME	CHAR 1	M	Enter ‘Y’ if the investor’s name is held in a structured format, or ‘N’ if the investor’s name is held in an unstructured format.
NAMING CONVENTION	CHAR 2	M	If ‘Y’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field, enter ‘00’. If ‘N’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field see paragraph 8.2.2.
INVESTOR TITLE	CHAR X	O	If ‘Y’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field enter the investor’s title (for example Mr, Mrs or Doctor). Left justify, pad with spaces. If the investor has more than one title, leave a space between the titles.
INVESTOR FORENAMES	CHAR X	O	If ‘Y’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field enter either the investor’s forenames or initials, or both see paragraph 8.2.3. Left justify, pad with spaces.
INVESTOR NAME	CHAR X	M	Enter the investor’s surname if ‘Y’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field, or full name if ‘N’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field. Left justify, pad with spaces.
INVESTOR NINO	CHAR 9	M	Enter the investor’s National Insurance number if held. Format is QQ123456A. The last character should be ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’. It may be space filled if not known. If the investor’s NINO is not held for ISA accounts, either space fill (preferred), or enter QQ999999A or for JISA accounts, either space fill (preferred) or enter QQ888888A. For ISAs opened with matured funds from a CTF enter the child’s Unique Reference Number (URN) from their Child Trust Fund.
INVESTOR ADDRESS	CHAR X	M	Enter the investor’s permanent residential address (see paragraph 8.2.4). Left justify, pad with spaces.
INVESTOR POSTCODE	CHAR 8	C	If ‘Y’ is entered in INVESTOR POSTCODE SUPPLIED field, enter the postcode for the investor’s permanent residential address. Otherwise, space-fill If ‘N’ is entered in INVESTOR POSTCODE SUPPLIED field, set the field length to 0.
INVESTOR DATE OF BIRTH	CHAR 8	M	Enter the investor’s date of birth as a numeric string in the European date format (DDMMCCYY) If the account was originally opened prior to 1993 as a PEP and you have not been able to obtain the investor’s date of birth, space fill.
AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA	CHAR 8	M	If ‘S’ or ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field enter ‘0’ Otherwise, enter the total subscriptions to the stocks and shares ISA/JISA in the period covered by the return (see paragraph 8.2.5) Round up to the nearest £ (for example £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO CASH ISA/JISA	CHAR 8	M	If ‘T’ or ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field enter ‘0’. Otherwise, enter the total subscriptions to the cash ISA or JISA in the period covered by the return (see paragraph 8.2.6). Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO INNOVATIVE FINANCE ISA	CHAR 8	M	If ‘X’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field enter ‘0’. Otherwise, enter the total subscriptions to the innovative finance ISA in the period covered by the return (see paragraph 8.2.6a). Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
AMOUNT USED TO PURCHASE INSURANCE PRODUCTS	CHAR 8	M	If ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field enter ‘0’. Otherwise, enter the amount used to purchase insurance products (see paragraph 8.2.7). Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
TOTAL AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO ISA/JISA	CHAR 8	M	If ‘S’ or ‘T’ or ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field enter ‘0’. Otherwise, enter the same figure as at AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA or AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO CASH ISA/JISA OR AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO INNOVATIVE FINANCE ISA as appropriate. A separate record is required for each ISA or JISA held. If the investor has either a cash ISA or a stocks and shares ISA, or both, and an Innovative finance ISA, a separate record is required for each. Two records are required if the investor is aged 16 or 17 and holds a cash ISA and a cash JISA. Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
DATE OF FIRST SUBSCRIPTION	CHAR 8	M	If ‘A’ or ‘B’ or ‘E’ or ‘F’ or ‘G’ or ‘H’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, enter the date of the first subscription to the ISA in the period covered by the return (see paragraph 8.2.8). Format is DDMMCCYY. If ‘C’ or ‘D’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, enter the date of the first subscription only if the JISA was opened in the period covered by the return, otherwise space fill. If ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, space-fill. If ‘S’ or ‘T’ or ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, space-fill.
DATE OF CLOSURE (ISAs ONLY)	CHAR 8	M	If ‘A’ or ‘F’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field and the account has been closed, enter the date of closure (see paragraph 8.2.9). Format is DDMMCCYY. If ‘B’ or ‘E’ or ‘G’ or ‘H’ or ‘X’ or ‘Z’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, space fill (a date of closure is not required). However if the account has been closed managers may enter the date of closure if they so wish. If ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘Y’ or ‘S’ or ‘T’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, space-fill (see paragraph 8.2.9).
SHARE SCHEME SHARE TRANSFERS (ISAs ONLY)	CHAR 8	M	If ‘A’, ‘B’,’F’, ‘G’, ‘X’ or ‘Z’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, enter the market value, as at the date of transfer, of any shares transferred into the stocks and shares ISA in the period covered by the return from an approved SAYE share option scheme or Share Incentive Plan (see paragraph 8.2.10). Round up to the nearest £ (for example £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed). If ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘H’ or ‘Y’ or ‘S’ or ‘T’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, space-fill.
MARKET VALUE OF STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA	CHAR 20	M	Enter the market value of all assets held in a stocks and shares ISA/JISA at 5 April or any other valuation date falling not earlier than 5 October within the tax year. Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
MARKET VALUE OF CASH ISA/JISA	CHAR 10	M	Enter the market value of all assets held in a cash ISA or JISA at 5 April or any other valuation date falling not earlier than 5 October within the tax year. Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
MARKET VALUE OF INNOVATIVE FINANACE ISA	CHAR 10	M	Enter the aggregate market value of all assets held in the innovative finance ISA at 5th April in the year of return, or any other date in that year, not falling earlier than 5 October in the year of return. This will include the outstanding principal balance of innovative finance loans, securities, debentures (that is, the capital amounts outstanding plus any interest due but unpaid on the loans) at 5 April, and the total cash balance at 5 April in the innovative finance component. Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).
MARKET VALUE OF INSURANCE PRODUCTS	CHAR 20	M	Enter the surrender value of all insurance products held in the ISA or JISA at 5 April or any other valuation date falling not earlier than 5 October within the tax year. Round up to the nearest £ (for example, £999.99 should be reported as 1000). Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).

7. TYPE 3 record structure

Data item name	Format	Type	Notes
RECORD TYPE	CHAR 1	M	Enter ‘3’.
INVESTOR COUNT	CHAR 11	M	Enter the count of all TYPE 2 records reported in the batch. Right justify, pad with zeros (pad with spaces allowed).

8. Explanatory notes

8.1 TYPE 1 records

8.1.1 ISA manager reference

This is the reference provided by HMRC for the purpose of submitting Returns of Information. It’s made up of all:

• the ISA manager’s reference number (the letter ‘Z’, followed by 4 digits)
• a slash (/)
• the sub-return reference number (2 digits)

For example, Z9999/01.

8.1.2 Tax year

This is the tax year in which the reporting date falls. For example, if the return is for the:

• year to 5 April 2021, enter 2021
• period to 1 September 2020 (because the manager ceased to qualify, or act as an ISA manager on that date), enter 2021 (because 1 September 2020 falls within the tax year ending 5 April 2021)

8.1.3 Investor postcode supplied

The post code is an integral part of UK addresses and we would normally expect a postcode to be supplied. This entry determines whether investors’ postcodes are entered in the INVESTOR ADDRESS or INVESTOR POSTCODE field.

a. If the postcodes are held separately from the investors’ addresses, enter ‘Y’ – and enter the postcode in the INVESTOR POSTCODE field.

b. If the postcodes are held as part of the address enter ‘N’ – enter the postcode as the last entry of the investor’s address in the INVESTOR ADDRESS field, and set the length of the INVESTOR POSTCODE field to 0.

8.2 TYPE 2 records

8.2.1 Investor reference number

The investor reference number should be a unique identifier (preferably, the ISA or JISA account number notified to the investor).

8.2.2 Naming convention

If ‘N’ is entered in the STRUCTURED NAME field enter:

• ‘01’ if the name is supplied as title, forename, middle names or initials, surname – for example, Mr John Adam Smith, or Mr John A Smith
• ‘02’ if the name is supplied as surname, forename middle names or initials, title – for example, Smith John Adam Mr, or Smith John A Mr
• ‘03’ if the name is supplied as surname, title, forename, middle names or initials – for example, Smith Mr John Adam or Smith Mr John A
• ‘04’ if the name is supplied as forename, middle names or initials, surname – for example, John Adam Smith, or John A Smith
• ‘05’ if the name is supplied as surname, forename, middle names or initials – for example Smith John Adam, or Smith John A

If names are in a format not listed above contact Data Acquisition and Exchange (see Appendix D – contact information).

8.2.3 Investor forenames

This contains either the forename or initials (or both) component of the investor’s name where the names are held in a structured format.

If the field contains only initials they should be spaced. The field length defined in the INVESTOR NAME LENGTH field should allow for this.

8.2.4 Investor address

Enter the investor’s permanent residential address (including postcode if ‘N’ is entered in the INVESTOR POSTCODE SUPPLIED field).

The number of address lines supplied should correspond to the number defined in the INVESTOR ADDRESS LINE COUNT field.

If the address lines are of different lengths each address line should be left justified and padded with spaces to the length defined in the INVESTOR ADDRESS LINE LENGTH field.

8.2.5 Amount subscribed to stocks and shares ISA/JISA

Enter ‘0’ if ‘S’ or ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field. Otherwise enter the total amount subscribed to the stocks and shares ISA/JISA in the period covered by the return. This includes:

• cash subscribed to the ISA or JISA in the period covered by the return
• the aggregate market value, as at the date of transfer, of any shares transferred into an ISA in the period covered by the return from an approved SAYE option scheme or a Share Incentive Plan
• any subscriptions in the period covered by the return transferred in from another manager (whether cash or stocks and shares) and reported as such on the ISA or JISA transfer form

8.2.6 Amount subscribed to cash ISA/JISA

Enter ‘0’ if ‘T’ or ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field. Otherwise enter the total amount subscribed to the cash ISA in the period covered by the return. This includes:

• cash subscribed to the ISA/JISA in the period covered by the return
• any subscriptions in the period covered by the return transferred in from another manager and reported as such on the ISA/JISA transfer form

8.2.6a Amount subscribed to Innovative finance ISA

Enter ‘0’ if ‘X’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field. Otherwise enter the total amount subscribed to the Innovative finance ISA in the period covered by the return. This includes:

• cash subscribed to the ISA in the period covered by the return
• any subscriptions in the period covered by the return transferred in from another manager and reported as such on the ISA transfer form

8.2.7 Amount used to purchase insurance products

If ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ has been entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field enter ‘0’.

Otherwise, enter the total amount subscribed in the period covered by the return used to purchase insurance products.

For example, an investor subscribes £3,000 to a stocks and shares ISA (or JISA), £1,000 of which is used to purchase an insurance product that is a qualifying investment for a stocks and shares ISA/JISA.

The ISA manager would enter:

1. ‘3000’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA field.
2. ‘1000’ in the AMOUNT USED TO PURCHASE INSURANCE PRODUCTS field.
3. ‘3000’ in the TOTAL AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO ISA/JISA field.

8.2.8 Date of first subscription

If the account is an ISA (‘A’ or ‘B’ or ‘E’ or ‘F’ or ‘G’ or ‘H’ is entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field) enter the date on which the first subscription in the period covered by the return was paid into the ISA.

If subscriptions in the period covered by the return were transferred in from another manager and reported as such on the ISA transfer form, this will be the date on which the first subscription in the period covered by the return was paid into the ISA transferred in.

If the account is a JISA or matured CTF (‘C’ or ‘D’ or ‘S’ or ‘T’ is entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field) space-fill the field unless the account was opened in the period covered by the return.

If the JISA was opened in the period covered by the return enter the date on which the first subscription was paid into the account.

If subscriptions in the period covered by the return were transferred in from another manager and reported as such on the JISA transfer form and this was the year in which the JISA was first opened, this will be the date on which the first subscription was paid into the JISA transferred in.

If ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, space-fill the field.

Example 1 – In May 2011 Mr Drones subscribes £1,000 to a stocks and shares ISA with Manager A. In July 2011 he transfers this ISA to Manager B. In November 2011 he subscribes a further £2,000 to the ISA with Manager B. The transfer form given to Manager B by Manager A will show date of first subscription in current year as May 2011.

Manager B will therefore report:

• ‘3000’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA field
• ‘01052011’ in the DATE OF FIRST SUBSCRIPTION FIELD

Manager A will either:

• make no report (if the ISA was transferred in full)
• report ‘0’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA field (if some or all of previous years’ subscriptions remain in the ISA)

Example 2 – Mr Clough subscribes £2,000 to a cash ISA with Manager A in May 2011 and £1,000 to a stocks and shares ISA with Manager B in June 2011. In July 2011 he transfers the cash ISA to Manager B. In November 2011 he subscribes £2,000 to the cash ISA with Manager A and a further £1,200 to the stocks and shares ISA with Manager B.

The transfer form given to Manager B by Manager A will show date of first subscription in current year as May 2011. Manager B will therefore report:

• ‘4200’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA field
• ‘01052011’ in the DATE OF FIRST SUBSCRIPTION FIELD

Manager A will report:

• ‘2000’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO CASH ISA/JISA field
• ‘01112011’ in the DATE OF FIRST SUBSCRIPTION FIELD

8.2.9 Date of closure (ISA only)

The closure date is required where ‘A’ or ‘F’ is entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field. Enter the date on which the account is regarded as having been closed. This is usually the date on which the account investments are transferred to the investor. It’s not necessary to postpone the closing date to the date on which all outstanding dividends, interest and tax refunds have been paid over to the investor.

A closure date is not required where ‘B’, ‘E’, ‘G’, ‘H’, ‘S’, ‘T’, ‘X’ or ‘Z’ is entered in the TYPE OF ACCOUNT field, however managers may enter a date if they wish.

Closed JISAs SHOULD NOT normally be reported (see paragraphs 2.1 and 4.3). If the account is a JISA (‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘Y’ is entered in TYPE OF ACCOUNT field), space-fill this field. However, closed JISAs may be reported in certain circumstances.

Managers may report JISAs that have been closed on the death of the child (Guidance 26.3.1) or on instruction from HMRC where the child is terminally ill (Guidance 26.7.1). In that case the date of closure should be entered in the DATE OF CLOSURE field.

8.2.10 Share scheme share transfers (ISA only)

This is the market value, as at the date of transfer, of any shares transferred into the account in the period covered by the return from an approved SAYE option scheme or a Share Incentive Plan. It’s included in the amount subscribed to stocks and shares ISAs.

For example, an investor subscribes £7,000 to a stocks and shares ISA. Of this £7,000, £6,000 is the market value, as at the date of transfer, of shares transferred into the ISA in the period covered by the return from an approved SAYE option scheme and £1,000 is a top-up cash subscription.

The entries would be:

• ‘7000’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO STOCKS AND SHARES ISA/JISA field
• ‘0’ in the AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO CASH ISA/JISA field
• ‘0’ in the AMOUNT USED TO PURCHASE INSURANCE PRODUCTS field
• ‘7000’ in the TOTAL AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED TO ISA/JISA field
• ‘6000’ in the SHARE SCHEME SHARE TRANSFERS field

Submission instructions

1. Introduction

The Annual Return of Information should be submitted by one of the methods detailed in the notice.

2. Structure of returns

2.1 Returns, sub-returns and batches

You will make one or more sub-returns. These are divided into one or more reproducible batches.

Many managers will submit returns that contain just one sub-return consisting of only one batch. However returns may be split into more than one sub-return, and each sub-return may be divided into one or more batches, each of which is numbered sequentially within a sub-return.

For definitions of sub-return and batch see Section 1 (ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification), paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3).

2.2 Example of a return

An example is shown below of a financial institution whose return comprises 3 sub-returns, one of which is expanded to show its component parts.

Example – Financial Institution Z1234 has 3 sub-returns (Z1234/01, Z1234/02 and Z1234/03).

Sub-return Z1234/02 is in 2 batches. They would be labelled:

• Z1234_01_001_001_year
• Z1234_02_001_002_year
• Z1234_02_002_002_year
• Z1234_03_001_001_year

3. Submission dates

HMRC normally issue your notice to make a return in the February before the end of the reporting year to which it relates.

The time limit for making a return will be given in the notice, and is normally 4 June following the end of the tax year to which the notice relates, but this date may be changed slightly to ensure it falls on a working day.

For example, for the tax year 2020 to 2021 notices were issued in February 2021 and returns had to be submitted by 5 June 2021.

You may submit your return before this date but due to the large volumes of data that HMRC expect to process, they cannot guarantee to load your data before the date in the notice.

They will, however, deal with your submission as soon after they get it as possible.

The earliest date for your submission will be 6 April for the tax year in question, for tax year 2020 to 2021 the earliest receipt date is 6 April 2021.

Appendix A – data protection and security of returns

1. Your responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998

HMRC have an ongoing review into the security of our data transfers out.

We currently secure outgoing data to businesses in ways described below and, in the light of the Information Commissioner’s recent advice, we encourage everyone to be this careful when transferring information to us.

We do not set any particular security standards for data coming to us from businesses, but are happy to work with anyone who needs to send us data to help secure it.

Under the Data Protection Act, you’re responsible for the security of personal data until we have received it.

2. The encryption that HMRC uses

We encrypt data to 256-bit standard with a 20 character complex.

3. Latest published security advice for your return

We update our guidance on a periodic basis, and the security advice for this return is also applicable to a number of other schemes.

Read the most recent advice in Interest returns: Bank, Building Society Interest(BBSI) and Other Interest (OI).

Appendix B – sending your return

1. Introduction

Returns must be submitted on using SDES or email.

The data layout must conform to the ISA return format in Section 1 - ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification.

2. SDES or email

2.1 General

All Data must be encoded in UTF – 8 as per ISO 20022 (ASCII).

2.2 Naming

All files sent electronically, irrespective of whether by SDES or email should be labelled as follows:

HMRC Ref_Sub number_Batch number_Total number of batches_Year

Example:

Z1234_03_001_001_2021

HMRC Ref (1)	Sub number (2)	Batch number (3)	Total number of (4)	Year (5)
Z1234	03	001	001	2021

1. HMRC reference
2. Sub number
3. Batch number of the file for that reference, sub number, year
4. Total number of batches being submitted on this occasion for that reference, sub number, year
5. Year

All 5 items are needed to enable us to process the file correctly.

Each file needs its own name so that we can identify it. Do not zip files together or in groups. Without the correct information we will not be able to process the data. To avoid the return being rejected or queried you must always use the file naming convention.

For example, on this occasion a Financial Institution with the HMRC ref Z1234/03 is sending in 2 batches for 2021 the files (batches) would be called:

• batch 1: Z1234_03_001_002_2021
• batch 2: Z1234_03_002_002_2021

If the return was a single file (batch) it would be called: Z1234_03_001_001_2021.

Appendix C – allowable character set

1. Allowable character set

All Data must be encoded in UTF – 8 as per ISO 20022 (ASCII).

Only the following characters are allowed:

• upper case alphabet A to Z
• lower case alphabet a to z
• numbers 0 to 9
• space
• oblique /
• hyphen -
• ampersand &
• full stop .
• apostrophe ‘
• comma ,
• left hand parenthesis (
• right hand parenthesis )

The following characters must not be used:

• asterisk *
• semi-colon ;
• vertical bar |

2. Use of multibytes (foreign characters)

In UTF8 accented characters such as é and umlauted characters such as ü are stored as multiple bytes of data, but they are multibyte characters, which should be counted as a single character for the purpose of creating your return.

The rule about counting characters and not bytes applies to all types of encoding.

If you use UTF8 when compiling your return, you must count multibyte characters as a single character, to avoid your return failing processing and a resubmission request.

Appendix D – contact information

1. Data Acquisition and Exchange

1.1 Email addresses

Contact Data Acquisition and Exchange using the following email addresses if you have any queries regarding the submission of your return.

Simple requests

Email: [email protected] for straightforward requests, for example to:

• check if a return has been received
• check a status of a return
• update contact details

Complex requests

Email: [email protected] for more complex requests, for example:

• to request a new sub number
• to request closure of an existing sub number
• queries about completing the annual information return

Appendix E – common problems

1. Introduction

The purpose of this appendix is to advise managers of common problems associated with the submission of annual returns of information and to advise them how they may be overcome.

2. Batch numbers

2.1 Non-unique batch numbers

Batches within a sub-return must be numbered sequentially.

2.1.1 Sub-return produced at 2 or more locations

Non-unique batch numbers can occur where labelling and shipping are not coordinated centrally. (For example, the separate locations each submit part of the sub-return and the batch numbers assigned to each overlap).

The problem can be overcome by either:

• co-ordinating the labelling and shipping at one central point
• splitting the sub-return into 2 or more sub-returns, one from each location (see Section 1 – ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification – paragraph 3.2)

2.1.2 Additional batch submitted after sub-return

Non-unique batch numbers can also occur where the manager realises that some accounts have been omitted from a sub-return, submits an additional batch containing the accounts omitted in error, and numbers the batch as ‘1’ rather than assigning it the next batch sequence number.

For example, manager Z9999 submits sub-return 02, consisting of 2 batches made up as follows:

Sub-return Z9999/02 Batch 1 of 2 Batch 2 of 2

The additional batch should be numbered as follows:

Sub-return Z9999/02 Batch 3 of 3

2.2 Batch numbers do not start at ‘1’

This could occur where batches are numbered sequentially within the return of information rather than sequentially within each sub-return.

For example, a return consists of 3 sub-returns – each made up of one batch. The batches should be numbered as follows:

Sub-return Z9999/01 Batch 1 of 1

Sub-return Z9999/02 Batch 1 of 1 Sub-return Z9999/03 Batch 1 of 1

3. Re-submission mis-labelled

If a sub return fails because of one faulty batch all batches for that sub-return have to be resubmitted and should be labelled based on the number of batches being submitted in line with Appendix C.

4.

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5. Data content

5.1 RECORD TYPE field not completed

The RECORD TYPE field at the start of each record must be completed. If it’s not, the return will be rejected. A failure notice detailing the problem and requesting resubmission of the rejected return will be sent to the manager.

5.2 ISA MANAGER REF field not completed correctly

The ISA MANAGER REF field (a TYPE 1 record) must be completed correctly (see Section 1 – ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification – paragraph 8.1.1). If it’s not, the return will be rejected.

A failure notice detailing the problem and requesting resubmission of the rejected return will be sent to the manager.

5.3 TAX YEAR field not completed correctly

The TAX YEAR field (a TYPE 1 record) must be completed correctly (see Section 1 – ISA Electronic Flat Text File Specification – paragraph 8.1.2). If it’s not, the return will be rejected.

A failure notice detailing the problem and requesting resubmission of the rejected return will be sent to the manager.

5.4 Lengths of TYPE 2 fields not consistent with field lengths reported in TYPE 1 records

The TYPE 1 fields (INVESTOR TITLE LENGTH, INVESTOR FORENAMES LENGTH, INVESTOR NAME LENGTH and INVESTOR ADDRESS LINE LENGTH) report the length of the TYPE 2 fields (INVESTOR TITLE, INVESTOR FORENAMES, INVESTOR NAME and the length of each line in INVESTOR ADDRESS field).

Managers should make sure that the lengths of these TYPE 2 fields agree with the lengths as reported in the TYPE 1 fields.

5.5 INVESTOR COUNT field not completed correctly

The INVESTOR COUNT field (a TYPE 3 record) is sometimes reported not as a count of all TYPE 2 records reported in the batch, but as a count of all the records reported in the batch. If the field is not completed correctly the return will be rejected.

A failure notice detailing the problem and requesting re- submission of the rejected return will be sent to the manager.

6. Other

6.1

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6.2

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6.3 Problems purging bad characters from data

Where managers are requested to remove invalid characters from a data field they should not wipe the data content of that field, they should replace the invalid characters with a space instead.