Guidance

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 Flatflat Texttext Filefile specification

ThereYou aremust meet technical specifications that must be met when reporting gains as a text file.file.

This creates a flat text filefile, (CSV files are not acceptable), which you can besubmit submitted by either:

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 containuse conditional formatting whichto detectsdetect if certain specification requirements haveare not been met.

To highlightThe detected errors the cells onin rows 1 and 2 forof the columns containingwith errors will turn redred. and remain so until the errors have been corrected.

Do not submit a spreadsheet with a red highlighted cell in rows 1 or 2. You must correct thethese errors before submittingyou submit your return to HMRC.

The spreadsheet validations cannot entirelyfully check the accuracy or suitability of the datadata. andThe the return may still fail when processedHMRC byprocesses HMRC. Thereforeit. youMake must make sure your return of information meets the required specifications.

UK insurers only

HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet for UK insurers only

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Non-UK insurers

YouYou’ll will 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, send an email to da.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk with the following details:

  • company name
  • company address
  • contact name
  • contact telephone number
  • contact email address

HMRC chargeable event spreadsheet for non-UK insurers

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Paper certificates

If you arecannot unable to report chargeable event gains on either the electronic flat text file specification or HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet,spreadsheet, send email:your da.enquiries@hmrc.gov.ukcertificates by email to ps.andpa@hmrc.gov.uk.

You can also send them by post to discussone reportingof usingthe afollowing paperaddresses:

UK certificate.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

Qualifying policy information

Download and use the spreadsheet to report information on policies with one or more beneficiaries and email it to:to tpi.a@hmrc.gov.uk.

Send HMRC qualifying policy information on a spreadsheet

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Where to send your returns

TheSubmit the chargeable event and qualifying policy spreadsheets canby be submitted:either:

Returns on media are no longer accepted.

Enquiries

Insurance companies (only)only

Email:Email tpi.a@hmrc.gov.uk for queries regardingabout thesubmitting submission of your returnreturn, such as:

  • checkingto check if awe’ve returnreceived hasyour been receivedreturn
  • to update contact details

Email:Email da.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk to request:

  • submission guidance on submission
  • a new sub number or closureto ofclose an existing sub number
  • other return queries

Policy holdersPolicyholders

ForIf you have queries about the content of a certificatecertificate, you should contact your insurance company.

ContactFor the HMRC Income Tax Helpline for queries about the tax implications of a certificate.certificate, contact HMRC.

Chargeable events:events penalties followingafter audits and voluntary disclosures under section 98 Taxes Management Act 1970

Read the following guidance for help on chargeable event penalties after audits and voluntary disclosures.disclosures under section 98 of the Taxes Management Act 1970.

Chargeable events: penalties following audits and voluntary disclosures

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 1 April 2014
Last updated 205 SeptemberJune 20222024 + show all updates
  1. The contact details for sending paper certificates have been updated and links to guidance for individuals have been added.

  2. 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.

  3. HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet section updated. HMRC is no longer accepting .xls files.

  4. Updated spreadsheets have been added for HMRC UK and non-UK chargeable events.

  5. Updated spreadsheets have been added for HMRC UK and non-UK chargeable events and qualifying policy information.

  6. 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.

  7. Chargeable events and the qualifying policy information spreadsheet have been replaced and details of how to use the spreadsheets updated.

  8. A new HMRC chargeable events spreadsheet has been added to the page. This spreadsheet is capable of accepting 1,048,576 rows of information.

  9. 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.

  10. Updated spreadsheets have been added for HMRC chargeable events and qualifying policy information.

  11. Contact details have been updated and outdated terminology removed.

  12. Qualifying policy information new and updated spreadsheet attached.

  13. Updated information and latest guidance.

  14. Chargeable Events – Penalties following Audits & Voluntary Disclosures document has been updated.

  15. First published.