New HMRC payroll product to help agents and employers

Volunteers wanted to test a new product

Do you handle payroll work? Would you be interested in testing a new product? HMRC as asked the Tax Faculty to assist in finding volunteers.

HMRC is currently developing a PAYE Desktop Viewer (PDV) product. This is an addition to the Data Provisioning Service (DPS).

The DPS is an integrated part of HMRC's PAYE Online Internet service, and is used to send PAYE Notices and reminders to employers or their agents. The DPS, however, has some problems of functionality. The new PDV application will provide the same functionality as the existing DPS service but it will also address these issues, including:

  • Download of notices, reminders and notifications
    • On Initial DPS log-in, all notices, reminders and notifications held within DPS will be downloaded for employer/agent
    • On subsequent DPS log-ins, only notices, reminders and notifications loaded into DPS since the previous download will be downloaded.
  • Actioned/unactioned
    • Users will be able to make it apparent for single or multiple items, those which have been actioned/unactioned
  • Improved search function (which will make the current 7 day view facility unnecessary). The following list is not exhaustive.
    • Ability to search by tax year (for agents – employer name and/or employer reference)
    • Ability to sort all non-actioned items chronologically
    • Ability to search all non-actioned items.
  • Improved printing

HMRC is keen to test the product with agents and employers and has asked whether ICAEW members would like to take part in testing between now and the end of the year.

A review of the PDV application is due for November. The main user testing event is planned for the week of 8 December 2008. The initial testing will be done via download so users can conduct this testing from their desktop (via internet access). The main testing event in December will be conducted in London over a 3–5 day period and volunteers can choose which date best suits them to attend.

If you or a colleague want to take part in the initial testing please email cian.simmonds@capgemini.com or telephone Cian Simmonds on 0870 194 6714.

10 November 2008