What’s PAYE Tax – UK?

PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax in the UK is a system where you deduct your employees’ income tax and National Insurance contributions from their salaries before paying them. This ensures taxes are collected during the UK Tax Year based on earnings and tax codes. The collected amounts are then paid to HMRC on behalf of your employees.

HMRC PAYE Tax Calendar

Refer to the HMRC PAYE Tax Calendar below for the tax periods of the applicable UK Tax Calendar.

PAYE Payment Schedule

The PAYE Calendar starts yearly on 6th April and ends on 5th April in the subsequent year.

The HMRC tax year calendar contains the following periods:

  • Weekly
  • 2-weekly
  • 4-weekly
  • Monthly

In addition:

  • The weekly tax period spans 7 days, beginning on 6th April and ending on 12th April.
  • For the 2-weekly tax period, it consists of two weeks, starting from weeks 1-2, followed by weeks 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and so on.
  • The 4-weekly tax period comprises four weeks, starting from weeks 1-4, followed by weeks 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, etc.
  • Monthly periods commence on the 6th of each month and conclude on the 5th of the following month.

These structures are essential for accurate payroll processing and compliance. Utilising reliable PAYE payroll software can streamline your processes, ensuring all your submissions follow HMRC requirements.

Real-Time Information (RTI) Submission

When you submit your Full Payment Submission (FPS), HMRC is notified of the payment date. This date is used to determine your PAYE bill for the month. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the date you submit the FPS and the corresponding HMRC Tax Period.

HMRC will also use this information to assess whether your submission is timely or late.