Payroll Basics
Start with PAYE, employer registration, starter information and the shape of a normal payroll cycle.
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Learn UK Payroll with 12 Practical Lessons
Learn UK payroll from PAYE setup to recurring pay runs, deductions, HMRC reporting and year-end through 12 practical lessons.
Practical payroll course
12 practical lessons. From setting up PAYE to completing year-end.
Understand the process, provide the right information, check the results, meet deadlines and recognise when something is wrong.
Payroll journey
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1
Stage 1
Set up payroll correctly
Understand the system, register PAYE and choose a controlled payroll method.
- 1Available · 18 minHow UK payroll works: the complete employer cycleUnderstand setup, recurring pay runs and year-end duties before processing payroll.
- 2Available · 24 minNew employer payroll setup: register for PAYEDecide who belongs on payroll, register the correct employer for PAYE and continue to first-payday setup.
- 3Available · 28 minChoose a payroll method and complete setupChoose an appropriate payroll operating model, configure the essential employer controls and prepare for a controlled first live payroll.
2
Stage 2
Set up employees and pay
Add starters, assess pensions and understand gross pay, deductions and net pay.
- 4Available · 26 minAdd a new starter correctlyCollect, validate and protect the information needed for an employee’s first payroll and FPS.
- 5Available · 28 minUnderstand workplace pensions and automatic enrolmentAssess workers, choose the employer action, configure the scheme basis and retain evidence.
- 6Available · 26 minBuild gross pay from approved inputsTransform approved salary, hours and variable-pay records into a traceable gross-pay schedule.
- 7Available · 28 minUnderstand deductions and net payVerify pay bases, employee instructions, deduction destinations and net pay without recreating statutory calculations.
3
Stage 3
Complete a pay run
Gather inputs, check payroll, pay employees, report through RTI and settle HMRC.
- 8Available · 30 minCalculate, review and approve a payroll runUse a controlled payroll-run checklist to prove the population, calculate pay, review exceptions and approve payday.
- 9Available · 28 minProduce payslips, pay employees and send FPSTurn the approved payroll version into checked payslips, controlled employee payments and an accepted FPS.
- 10Available · 28 minSend EPS, reconcile and pay HMRCDecide whether EPS is required, reconcile accepted RTI to the HMRC account and verify settlement.
4
Stage 4
Maintain payroll correctly
Handle changes, leavers, corrections and the transition into a new tax year.
- 11Available · 34 minHandle payroll changes, leavers and correctionsClassify changes, coordinate leavers and correct payroll without rewriting approved history.
- 12Available · 34 minComplete payroll year end and start the new tax yearReconcile the closing year, complete final reporting, issue P60s and validate the new-year opening.
Go deeper
Extension tracks
Explore specialist situations after you understand the core process.
Running Payroll
Move from approved pay inputs to payslips, RTI submissions, payments and corrections.
Employees and Pay
Handle starters, leavers, notice, holiday, statutory pay and workplace pensions.
Compliance and HMRC
Understand FPS, EPS, record keeping, payment deadlines, corrections and year end.
Payroll Software
Choose, evaluate and switch payroll systems without losing control of data or reporting.
Care Payroll
Apply payroll controls to travel time, mileage, sleep-ins and irregular care rotas.
Popular references
Find a payroll answer
Start with six frequently used answers, or search the complete reference library.
6 results
Reference
Buying and selling annual leave: employer guide
Design a controlled UK holiday buy and sell scheme across entitlement, contracts, minimum wage and payroll.
ReferenceHoliday pay records compliance tracker
Audit annual-leave and holiday-pay records, then download a free six-year Excel or CSV tracker.
ReferenceFirst-payday readiness after PAYE registration
Understand HMRC references, manage the waiting period and protect the first payday before payroll is fully operational.
ReferenceHMRC Basic PAYE Tools guide
Set up an employer, add employees, run payroll, send FPS or EPS, keep records and back up local data.
ReferenceChoose a workplace pension provider
Compare provider charges, tax relief, payroll routes and administration before choosing a scheme.
Reference2026/27 UK payroll calendar
Monthly RTI, PAYE, P60 and P11D deadlines.
Editorial standards
Check the rule, date and example.
Regulated guidance links to GOV.UK, HMRC or The Pensions Regulator and shows its review date and practical interpretation.
Reviewed by Workmax payroll team until a named specialist is verified.
Software comes second
Use the simplest controlled process that fits.
As employee numbers, pensions, statutory pay, locations or rota complexity increase, connected payroll controls become more useful.
See when Workmax may fit
