Report chargeable event gains for life insurance policies — guidance for insurers
How to report chargeable event gains on life insurance policies, including details on the annual qualifying policy, if you're an insurer.
The 2 formats for reporting are:
- electronic flat text file specification (previously called magnetic media specifications) — for UK insurers only
- HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet
If you’re an individual and need to report your chargeable event gain, do not use this guidance. Instead, use helpsheets for:
Electronic flat text file specification
You must meet technical specifications when reporting gains as a text file.
This creates a flat text file, which you can submit by either:
- the Secure Data Exchange Service
- email to [email protected]
CSV files are not accepted.
HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet
You can submit your return of information using one the following HMRC spreadsheet templates to report events for single and multiple policyholders.
The spreadsheets use conditional formatting to detect if certain specification requirements are not met. The cells in rows 1 and 2 of the columns with errors will turn red. You must correct these errors before you submit your return to HMRC.
The spreadsheet validations cannot fully check the accuracy or suitability of the data. The return may still fail when HMRC processes it. Make sure your return of information meets the required specifications.
You’ll need a unique reference number from the Data Acquisition and Exchange team before you report chargeable event information to HMRC.
To get a unique reference number, email [email protected] with the following details:
- company name
- company address
- contact name
- contact telephone number
- contact email address
UK insurers only
Non-UK insurers
Qualifying policy information
Download and use the spreadsheet to report information on policies with one or more beneficiaries and email it to [email protected].
Where to send your returns
Submit the chargeable event and qualifying policy spreadsheets by either:
- the Secure Data Exchange Service
- email to [email protected]
Paper certificates
If you cannot report chargeable event gains on the electronic flat text file specification or HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet, send your certificates by email to [email protected].
You can also send them by post to one of the following addresses:
UK insurers
HMRC — UK Chargeable Events
RIS COIR Production
Floor 7
1 Atlantic Square
Glasgow
G2 8HS
Non-UK insurers
HMRC — Offshore Chargeable Events
RIS Offshore
SO842
Benton Park View
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ
Enquiries
Insurance companies only
Email [email protected] for queries about submitting your return, such as:
- to check if we’ve received your return
- to update contact details
Email [email protected] for:
- guidance on submission
- a new sub number or to close an existing sub number
- other return queries
Policyholders
If you have queries about the content of a certificate, contact your insurance company.
For queries about the tax implications of a certificate, contact HMRC.
Chargeable events — penalties after audits and voluntary disclosures
Read the following guidance for help on chargeable event penalties after audits and voluntary disclosures under section 98 of the Taxes Management Act 1970.
Updates to this page
Published 1 April 2014Last updated 18 December 2024 + show all updates
-
Information about your unique reference number from the Data Acquisition and Exchange team has been updated as you will need this number to report a chargeable event if you are a UK insurer and a non-UK insurer.
-
'Returns on media are no longer accepted' has been removed. There are only 2 formats for reporting chargeable event gains on life insurance policies if you're an insurer.
-
The contact details for sending paper certificates have been updated and links to guidance for individuals have been added.
-
The email address for sending chargeable event information, paper certificate and to make an enquiry has been updated. Returns on media are no longer accepted.
-
HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet section updated. HMRC is no longer accepting .xls files.
-
Updated spreadsheets have been added for HMRC UK and non-UK chargeable events.
-
Updated spreadsheets have been added for HMRC UK and non-UK chargeable events and qualifying policy information.
-
A new HMRC chargeable events section and spreadsheet for non-UK insurers has been added to the page. This spreadsheet is capable of accepting 1,048,576 rows of information.
-
Chargeable events and the qualifying policy information spreadsheet have been replaced and details of how to use the spreadsheets updated.
-
A new HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet has been added to the page. This spreadsheet is capable of accepting 1,048,576 rows of information.
-
The email address for submitting Electronic Flat Text Files has been added to the guidance. A new version of the 'Chargeable events: penalties following audits & voluntary disclosures' PDF has also been added.
-
Updated spreadsheets have been added for HMRC chargeable events and qualifying policy information.
-
Contact details have been updated and outdated terminology removed.
-
Qualifying policy information new and updated spreadsheet attached.
-
Updated information and latest guidance.
-
Chargeable Events – Penalties following Audits & Voluntary Disclosures document has been updated.
-
First published.