Key facts
- The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April — year-end tasks begin with the last pay run before 5 April.
- The final FPS must include the “this is your final submission” indicator — deadline is 19 April.
- P60s must be issued to all employees on the payroll at 5 April by 31 May.
- P11D forms for benefits in kind are due by 6 July, with Class 1A NIC payable by 22 July.
- New tax year rates, thresholds, and tax codes must be applied from the first pay date on or after 6 April.
The Payroll Year-End Process
Every employer running PAYE must complete a series of tasks at the end of each tax year (5 April) and the beginning of the next (6 April). Getting these right ensures accurate reporting to HMRC, correct employee records, and avoidance of penalties.[1]
The checklist below covers the essential steps in chronological order.
Before 5 April: Preparation
- Review employee records — check names, NI numbers, addresses, and tax codes for accuracy
- Process any outstanding pay adjustments — bonuses, back pay, or corrections that relate to the current tax year
- Check for payroll errors — review year-to-date figures against FPS submissions and resolve any discrepancies
- Update your payroll software — ensure it is ready for the new tax year with the latest rates and thresholds
- Review benefit in kind records — gather data for P11D reporting if you are not payrolling benefits
Final Pay Run of the Tax Year
The last pay run that falls on or before 5 April is the final run of the tax year:
- Run payroll as normal — calculate pay, tax, NI, student loans, and pension contributions
- Include any final adjustments — expense reimbursements, bonus payments, or deduction corrections
- Submit the FPS on or before the pay date, as usual
Key point: The last FPS of the year must include the “Final Submission” indicator (set to “Yes”). This tells HMRC that no more FPS submissions will be made for this tax year. If you have already submitted your last FPS without this indicator, submit an EPS with the “final submission for year” flag by 19 April.[2]
April: Critical Deadlines
| Date | Task |
|---|---|
| 5 April | Tax year ends — no more payments for 2026/27 should be processed after this date |
| 6 April | New tax year begins — apply new rates, thresholds, and tax codes from the first pay date |
| 19 April | Deadline for final FPS or EPS with the year-end indicator |
| 22 April | Deadline for March PAYE payment to HMRC (if paying electronically; 19th if by cheque) |
Setting Up the New Tax Year
Before running the first payroll of the new tax year (2027/28), you must:
- Apply new tax codes — process P9 coding notices received from HMRC and uplift suffix codes where applicable
- Update tax rates and thresholds — apply the new Personal Allowance, NI thresholds, student loan thresholds, and statutory payment rates
- Reset year-to-date figures — your payroll software should do this automatically when you start the new year
- Re-enrol workers for auto-enrolment — if your re-enrolment date falls in April, re-enrol eligible workers who previously opted out
- Update payroll software — install any year-end update from your software provider
May to July: Year-End Filing
| Deadline | Task |
|---|---|
| 31 May | Issue P60s to all employees who were on the payroll on 5 April |
| 6 July | File P11D and P11D(b) forms with HMRC for benefits in kind |
| 6 July | Give P11D copies to employees |
| 22 July | Pay Class 1A NIC on benefits in kind to HMRC |
Tip: Create a shared calendar with all these deadlines at the start of each tax year. Missing a single deadline can trigger automatic penalties. Most payroll software includes reminders, but having a separate record ensures nothing slips through.
Common Year-End Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the final submission indicator — the last FPS must be marked as final, or submit an EPS by 19 April
- Not issuing P60s on time — the 31 May deadline is a legal requirement, not a guideline
- Running the new year on old rates — always update software and apply new thresholds before the first April payroll
- Ignoring P9 coding notices — HMRC sends updated tax codes in February/March; apply them from 6 April
- Overlooking Earlier Year Updates — if you discover errors after the final FPS, submit an EYU or a supplementary FPS (depending on the tax year)
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the final FPS deadline of 19 April?
HMRC may issue a late filing penalty. Penalties are charged per month that an FPS is late and depend on the number of employees: £100 for 1–9 employees, £200 for 10–49, £300 for 50–249, and £400 for 250 or more. An additional 5% of the tax and NI due can be charged if the FPS is more than 3 months late.
Do I need to update tax codes manually at year end?
In most cases, HMRC sends updated tax codes via P9 coding notices, which your payroll software should apply automatically. You also need to perform the automatic “uplift” of suffix codes (e.g. changing 1257L to 1257L for the new year if the allowance hasn’t changed). Most payroll software handles this, but you should verify that codes have been updated correctly.
Can I run the April payroll before completing year-end tasks?
You should complete the year-end process (final FPS, rollover) before running the first payroll of the new tax year. Most payroll software requires you to “close” the old year before opening the new one. Running the April payroll without updating rates and codes could result in incorrect deductions.
What records do I need to keep after year end?
Employers must keep payroll records for the current tax year plus the previous 3 years. This includes pay, deductions, tax code notifications, P45s, P60s, and any HMRC correspondence. Records can be kept electronically. HMRC may request these during a PAYE compliance check.
Further Reading
- Final FPS & Year-End Returns — how to submit the final FPS correctly
- P60 Explained — what P60s contain and why they matter
- P11D & Benefits in Kind — reporting benefits after year end
- Key Payroll Dates Calendar — all deadlines for the 2026/27 tax year
- PAYE Thresholds & Rates 2026/27 — the new rates to apply from 6 April
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Sources
- PAYE: employer year-end duties — GOV.UK
- Running payroll: year end — GOV.UK
- Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 — HMRC