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Partnership Tax Returns (SA800) Explained

The SA800 is the term used by HMRC for the paper version of the partnership tax return. When this form is filed online, the term SA800 no longer appears. In this guide, you’ll find out more about this form, when it’s used and what it looks like as well as share some tips on filling it out.

1. What is an SA800?

An SA800 is an HMRC form typically made out to individuals who have set up a partnership, which summarises its earnings and essential information such as who the partners of the business are and their share of the profits or losses. It is also known as a partnership tax return and is usually filled out by the nominated partner – in other words, the partner that has been chosen to take responsibility for filling out this form. The nominated partner is usually selected when the partnership is set up, but HMRC can choose someone in the absence of anyone being selected.

2. Where to Find the SA800

You can download a copy of the paper version SA800 from the HMRC website here. Although more commonly now, it will be filled in online.

3. What are the Sections on the SA800?

The partnership tax return is made up of different sections, each one designed to capture the information HMRC need to know about to understand what the business does, how much money it’s made and who owns it. There are 5 sections:

  1. Partnership Business and Investment Income
  2. Trading and Professional Income
  3. Partnership Statement
  4. Other information

3.1 Partnership Business and Investment Income

Certain types of income are taxed differently even though they are earned through a partnership. This includes earnings from rent property or foreign income. HMRC must be notified of these different types of income in this section and alternative sections completed to declare them.

3.2 Trading and Professional Income

If the partnership receives trading income, the details of this need to be entered here. Details of the partnership, the trade and the accounting period need to be disclosed first of all. Then numbers need to be entered to claim for capital allowances and the annual investment allowance followed by income and expenses.

If the annual turnover of the partnership is less than £85,000 only total income and total expenses need to be entered into boxes 3.24 and 3.25:

SA800 Explained

If the turnover of the partnership exceeds £85,000 a detailed breakdown of expenses needs to be disclosed using the HMRC set categories which includes:

  • Travel
  • Advertising
  • Legal and professional costs
  • Other finance charges

3.3 Partnership Statement

In this section details of the partners in the business and their share of the profits/loss needs to be disclosed, along with their names and addresses.

Partnership Tax Return (SA800)

3.4 Other information

The final section is a chance to share contact details in the event of any questions and a declaration by the nominated partner that everything has been entered correctly. Once everything is completed and signed, the SA800 can be submitted to HMRC.

4. What is the SA800 Partnership Tax Return Filing Deadline

The deadline for submitting the partnership tax return is:

  • 31 October for paper SA800 returns
  • 31 January for online partnership tax returns

There is an automatic £100 penalty for missing either of the above deadlines. If the nominated partner fails to file the return, penalties will continue to rise as follows:

  • more than 3 months late there will be a penalty of £10 for each additional day the SA800 is late
  • 6 months or more late there will be an additional fixed £300 penalty
  • more than 12 months late there will be an additional fixed £300 penalty

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