Payroll Year End: What Employers Need to Know

Payroll year end is one of those things that can sneak up on small business owners. One minute you’re happily paying staff as usual, and the next you’re faced with deadlines, submissions, and forms with names like P60 and P11D. It can feel like a lot—especially if payroll isn’t your day job.

But don’t worry. In this blog, we’ll guide you through what payroll year end actually means, what you need to do, and when you need to do it by. Plus, we’ll share some tips to help make it all a little easier (spoiler: using a payroll bureau like ours is a good start!).

First Things First: When is Payroll Year End?

The payroll year runs from 6th April to 5th April each year. So, payroll year end falls on 5th April, and your final payroll of the tax year is the last one before that date.

After that, there are a few key responsibilities to tick off to stay compliant with HMRC. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Your Year-End Payroll To-Do List

1. Send Your Final FPS (Full Payment Submission)

Each time you pay your employees, you send an FPS to HMRC. For your final payroll of the year, your FPS should include a marker indicating that it’s the last one of the tax year.

Deadline: On or before your employees' payday for the final pay run of the tax year (usually on or before 5th April).

2. Submit Your Final Employer Payment Summary (EPS), If Needed

If you need to claim things like Employment Allowance or report recovered statutory payments, you’ll also need to submit an EPS. If you’re not making a final claim, you might not need an EPS at all—but it's always worth checking.

Deadline: No later than 19th April following the end of the tax year.

3. Provide P60s to Employees

Every employee who’s still working for you on 5th April must receive a P60 by the end of May. This form summarises their total pay and deductions for the tax year.

Deadline: Must be given to employees by 31st May.

4. Prepare for P11D and P11D(b) Reporting (If Applicable)

If you’ve provided any benefits in kind—like company cars or health insurance—you’ll need to complete P11D forms for affected employees and submit a P11D(b) to show any Class 1A National Insurance due.

Deadline: Submit by 6th July, and pay any Class 1A NI by 22nd July 

Helpful Tips to Make Year-End Payroll Less Stressful

Tip 1: Get Organised Early

Leaving things to the last minute is a guaranteed way to add stress. Start preparing your final payroll run in advance, check that your employee details are up to date, and review any benefits provided.

Tip 2: Use Payroll Software or a Bureau

Manual payroll can be fiddly, especially when it comes to year-end. Using reliable payroll software helps reduce the risk of errors. Or better yet, let a payroll bureau (like us!) handle it for you. We take care of submissions, forms, and deadlines so you can focus on running your business.

Tip 3: Communicate with Your Employees

Let your team know when to expect their P60s, and make sure they understand what the forms are for. Good communication keeps everyone in the loop and prevents unnecessary confusion or questions.

Tip 4: Review Payroll for Accuracy

Now is a great time to double-check that everything adds up. Have all employees been paid correctly? Are deductions accurate? Have any benefits been missed? A final sweep can catch issues before they become bigger problems.

How We Can Help

Running payroll can be complex enough throughout the year, but year-end can feel like a whole different level. That’s where our payroll bureau comes in. We can:

• Process your final pay run and submit the year-end FPS

• File EPS forms if needed

• Generate and distribute P60s for your employees

• Handle any P11D or P11D(b) reporting

• Keep you informed about key deadlines and changes

With our help, you can avoid the stress and be confident everything’s submitted correctly and on time.

Wrapping Up

Payroll year end doesn’t have to be a panic-inducing event. With a bit of planning, some reliable support, and a clear list of what needs doing and when, you can tick off those responsibilities with ease. So if you’re an employer wondering what payroll year end involves, hopefully this guide has made it a bit clearer. And if it still feels a bit daunting? That’s what we’re here for. Payroll might be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be your problem.