What is happening
HMRC is updating every ERS end of year return template, with new technical notes and guidance, to meet accessibility rules. HMRC says it is not changing the reporting requirements: you report the same events and answer the same questions.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 2 November 2026 | HMRC publishes the new templates, technical notes and guidance on GOV.UK, alongside the current ones. |
| 1 February 2027 | HMRC's checking service starts accepting the new templates. You cannot check them before this date. You can still check the current templates until 5 April 2027. |
| 5 April 2027 | The last day you can use the current templates, for any tax year. |
| 6 April 2027 | HMRC removes the current templates from GOV.UK. Returns for any tax year must use the new templates, and HMRC will not accept reports on older ones. |
HMRC calls this a planned timetable and says the dates may change. We will update this page if they do.
What it means for your 2026 to 2027 return
The 2026 to 2027 tax year ends on 5 April 2027 and its return is due by 6 July 2027, so it will be filed after the switch and must use the new templates. The same goes for any late return for an earlier year that you file from 6 April 2027.
The new version numbers
| Template | Current version | New version |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) | Version 4 | Version 7 |
| Company Share Option Plan (CSOP), from the 2023 to 2024 tax year | Version 5 | Version 7 |
| Company Share Option Plan (CSOP), before the 2023 to 2024 tax year | Version 4 | Version 6 |
| Save As You Earn (SAYE) | Version 4 | Version 7 |
| Share Incentive Plan (SIP) | Version 4 | Version 7 |
| Non-tax advantaged share schemes, previously called Other | Version 4 | Version 7 |
What changes in the templates
HMRC says it will:
- simplify the sheet titles;
- format the sheets as tables, with headers;
- take the guidance notes out of the templates and link to GOV.UK guidance instead;
- remove abbreviations, so "e.g." becomes "for example" and "£" becomes "pound";
- use one font, Arial size 12;
- remove the line spacing between question numbers and questions.
If you make your own files
If you create your own ODS files, the headings must match the new technical notes. HMRC lists what to check: upper and lower case letters match the template, dates are shown in the same format as the template, there are no abbreviations in place of the template's wording, and everything is spelt correctly.
What to do now
- For any return you file before 6 April 2027, keep using the current templates.
- From 2 November 2026, download the new template for each of your schemes from GOV.UK, ready for the 2026 to 2027 return.
- From 1 February 2027, you can check files on the new templates in HMRC's checking service.
Share Scheme Return and version 7
Share Scheme Return uses HMRC's current templates today. We will add the new version 7 templates before 1 February 2027, when HMRC's checking service starts accepting them, and this page will say when they are in.
A separate change for EMI from 2027 to 2028
HMRC also plans to remove the separate EMI grant notification from 6 April 2027. Grants will be reported on the EMI end of year return instead, starting with the return for the 2027 to 2028 tax year, submitted from 6 April 2028. This does not change the 2026 to 2027 return.
Based on HMRC's published guidance: ERS bulletin 67 (July 2026). ERS bulletin 68 (August 2026). Check employment related securities files. Checked on 21 October 2026. This is general guidance, not tax advice, and HMRC's own pages take priority if they change. Share Scheme Return is not affiliated with HMRC.
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