Methods and structures for the fabrication of both thin film longitudinal and perpendicular write heads are disclosed. A unique feature of these write heads is the inclusion of layered return poles, which comprise alternating layers of 22/78 and 80/20 NiFe alloys. The alternating layers also vary in thickness, the 22/78 NiFe layers having a nominal thickness of 1500 angstroms and the 80/20 NiFe layers having a nominal thickness of about 75 angstroms. Head efficiency and signal to noise ratios are significantly improved in heads having layered return pole construction.