Return preparation options
There are several options available when preparing ROS returns:
- Online. Most returns are available online and this is usually the most convenient option. A small number of forms are not available to complete online
- ROS Return Preparation Facility. Forms available in this online facility can be prepared and saved on your computer for later upload to ROS online.
- ROS offline application. This is an application which can be installed on a Windows computer. It can be used to prepare a wide variety of forms for upload to ROS online.
- 46G Return Tool and other spreadsheet tools. These are spreadsheet type tools which can be used to produce return or reporting files for upload to ROS online.
- Third party software. Some commercially available software packages or in-house software may produce files or messages for transmission through ROS. These may be:
- files which you save on your computer and then upload to ROS online
- or
- messages which are signed with your ROS digital certificate (used by many payroll packages).
Popular forms available to prepare offline
| | Online | RPF | Offline | Spreadsheet |
|---|
| 46G and 46G Company |
Yes, but up to 30 entries only |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|---|
| CT1 |
Yes |
From 2022 |
Up to 2022 |
|
|---|
| DWT |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|---|
| E-Stamping |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|---|
| Form 1 (Firms) |
|
From 2022 |
Up to 2021 |
|
|---|
| Form 1 (Trust and estate) |
Yes |
From 2022 |
Up to 2021 |
|
|---|
| Form 11 |
Yes |
2020, and from 2022 |
Up to 2021 |
|
|---|
| IT38 |
Yes |
From 2023 |
Yes |
|
|---|
| Intrastat |
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
|---|
| RCT |
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
|---|
| ROM1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|---|
| VAT3 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|---|
| VIES |
Yes, but up to 30 entries only |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|---|
| VRT40 |
|
|
Yes |
|
|---|
The following sections explain some of the offline options:
Return Preparation Facility
The ROS Return Preparation Facility is a tool that you can access through the internet. This facility will be available from 26 November 2022. It is intended to replace the ROS offline application.
Forms will be added to the ROS Return Preparation Facility over time. When forms are added to the Return Preparation Facility, the version available in the ROS offline application will no longer be maintained and should not be used.
Forms currently available in the RPF:
- Stamp duty
- Form 11 - 2020 and from 2022 onwards
- Form 1 (Firms) from 2022 onwards
- Form 1 (Trusts and Estates) from 2022 onwards
- CT1 - from 2022 onwards
- VAT3
- IT38
- ROM1
- 46G and 46G (Company)
- DWT
- Intrastat
Please refer to the Using the ROS Return Preparation Facility section for more details.
ROS offline application
The ROS offline application is a tool that you can install on your computer. It lets you complete ROS forms when not connected to the internet.
You can save forms to your computer, then complete and upload them to ROS when it is convenient for you.
Please see the guide to Using the ROS offline application for more details.
46g Return Tool
As an alternative to using the ROS offline application, you can use the 46g Return Tool to enter details of suppliers and generate a 46g return for upload to ROS online. This can be convenient if you have a large number of suppliers.
Please see the Form 46g information page for further details.