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As April 2026 approaches, payroll end of year (PYE) pressure is likely setting in.

With tight deadlines and cumbersome administrative processes, it’s no wonder that completing the payroll year is often a difficult task.

What if this year could be different?

To help you minimize the end-of-year 2026 payroll stress, we’ve put together five practical tips.

First tip: understand key dates

When it comes to surviving the end of the pay year, knowing the key dates is half the battle, as missing them can result in penalties.

Here are the most important dates to mark in your calendar and set reminders for:

• April 5: the end of the tax year – all payroll files from the previous year must be finalized by this date
• April 6: the new tax year begins – your payroll software needs to be updated and new tax codes and thresholds applied
• On or before your employees’ payday: send your final Full Payment Submission (FPS) payroll report for the year
• Before April 19: the final legal deadline for submitting the year-end FPS and any Employer Payment Summary (EPS) report for the fiscal year just ended
• Before May 31: the deadline for giving your current employees their P60
• Before July 6: report employee expenses and benefits by submitting forms P11D and P11D(b) if not processed through payroll
• Before July 19: pay class 1A NIC on P11D benefits by post
• Before July 22:pay class 1A NIC on P11D benefits electronically

Add these dates to your calendar, set reminders, or scribble them on a post-it note – whatever works for you, just make sure they stick in mind!

Second tip: format your data

Accurate data forms the basis for a smooth payroll year-end.

Mistakes now become headaches later.

Before processing your final payroll, take the time to review your employee records and your cumulative totals.

Next, determine if there have been any changes in your workforce over the past year, such as:

• New recruits
• The leavers
• Benefit adjustments

If your record keeping has been consistent, this step should be simple.

But if you’re using spreadsheets or juggling data across multiple systems, things can get tricky.

Tips for reviewing your data

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to reviewing the quality of your data, here are some questions to help guide your data review:

• Do you still have any former employees registered?
• Have all deductions been processed?
• Have all non-salary benefits been included and calculated?

Trick : use HMRC recognized payroll software to streamline your data management: the right system can handle calculations, keep accurate records and ensure compliance, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.

Tip Three: Submit your final FPS and EPS carefully

Do not rush this step.

Your Final Full Payment Submission (FPS) and Employer Payment Summary (EPS) are critical steps in the PYE process.

These submissions provide HMRC with the latest information for the tax year, so it is essential to get them right the first time.

Errors can be difficult to correct later, so double-check everything before clicking “submit.”

Tip #4: Stay informed of legislative changes

Payroll laws are constantly evolving and staying informed is essential to avoiding penalties and ensuring compliance.

The government website is a reliable resource for legislative updates, but payroll software providers can also make your life easier; for example, vendors, like IRIS, automatically update their systems to reflect the latest changes, helping you stay compliant without manual effort.

Trick : look for webinars from reputable providers, covering key legislative updates and offering practical advice.

Tip Five: Master the Basics

Sometimes the best strategy is to go back to basics.

Make sure you’ve covered these essentials:

• Staff details: Are all employee records accurate and up to date?
• Payment details: have you correctly reported the pay of all employees?
• Final pay cycle: process your last paycheck by April 5, 2026 and check your employees’ cumulative figures
• The leavers: Have you processed leavers to ensure their information is recorded in the correct tax year?
• Additional pay weeks: If you make weekly pay, you may need to make additional pay
• Final submission: Submit your final FPS or EPS to finalize the fiscal year figures
• P60: distribute P60 to all employees

Ready to tackle 2026 end-of-year payroll?

The end of the payroll year doesn’t have to be a source of stress.

With preparation, you can navigate PYE with confidence and ease.

Looking for more advice? Download our Payroll 2026 End of Year Survival Guidefor more tips and expert advice.