HMRC has announced it will relax RTI reporting for small businesses over the next six months. As a result of this decision, businesses with fewer than 50 employees, who currently run their payroll monthly but who pay more frequently, will not have to report any more frequently than monthly for at least the next six months, unless they want and are able to do so.

The announcement was welcomed by the NFU this week. The union, which has been involved in lobbying HMRC, said, "This is a very positive step [which] will significantly ease the introduction of RTI for many businesses."

Real Time Information will come into effect from 6th April this year. Under RTI most employers will be required to report details of payments made to employees to HMRC on or before the time of the payment. The relaxation will apply to those smaller employers with less than 50 employees.

More information is available from HMRC here.