PAYE Registration
We'll get your PAYE set up with HMRC so you can pay your first employee on time, with no stress and no late-registration penalties. Cardiff small businesses trust us to handle the paperwork, activate your account, and make sure everything's in place before payday.
PAYE services we offer
From initial registration through to ongoing payroll compliance, we handle the full PAYE process for Cardiff small businesses and sole traders taking on their first employee.
PAYE Registration & Setup
Complete online registration with HMRC, enrolment activation, and account setup before your first payday.
RTI Submissions
Real Time Information reporting to HMRC on or before each payday, keeping you compliant and penalty-free.
Payroll Software Setup
Getting your payroll software configured with employee details, tax codes, and HMRC reporting tools.
Getting PAYE registration right first time
If you're about to pay your first employee or director £129 a week or more, you need to register for PAYE with HMRC before that first payday arrives. It sounds straightforward, but the timing matters. HMRC takes two to three weeks to process your registration and send your employer PAYE reference by post, so leaving it until the last minute can mean penalties, delays, and a stressful scramble.
We handle the entire registration process for Cardiff small businesses, from completing the online forms through to activating your PAYE Online account. You'll need details like National Insurance numbers, anticipated employee numbers, and your business type. We gather everything, submit it correctly, and make sure HMRC has enough time to process it before your first payday.
We take care of the deadlines so you can focus on welcoming your new team member.
More information
Once HMRC approves your registration, they'll send an employer PAYE reference and an Accounts Office reference by post. You'll also receive an Activation Code within ten days, which you must use within 28 days to activate your PAYE Online account. Miss that window and you have to start again. We keep track of these deadlines and guide you through activation, so nothing slips through the cracks.
After activation, you're responsible for submitting Real Time Information to HMRC on or before each payday. That means reporting wages, tax, and National Insurance every time you pay someone. It's a legal requirement, and late submissions trigger automatic penalties. We can manage RTI submissions as part of an ongoing payroll service, or simply get you set up and hand over once everything's running smoothly.
What's included in our PAYE registration service
- Online registration with HMRC up to two months before your first payday
- Gathering and submitting all required company and director information
- Guidance on activating your PAYE Online account within the 28-day window
- Setting up your payroll software with employee details and tax codes
- Advice on National Insurance calculations and employer obligations
- Support with your first RTI submission if needed
We work with salons, tradespeople, retail shops, and professional services across Cardiff and South Wales. Whether you're a builder taking on your first labourer or a salon owner hiring a junior stylist, we understand the practical side of becoming an employer for the first time. You'll have a direct point of contact who returns calls and emails quickly, and explains everything in plain English.
PAYE registration is one of those admin tasks that's easy to underestimate until you're up against a deadline. Get it sorted early, and your first payday will be smooth and stress-free. We're here to make that happen.
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Payroll Year End (P60s / P11Ds)→Payroll Processing (Weekly / Monthly)
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Payroll Processing (Weekly / Monthly)→Before you register
Here are the most common questions we hear from Cardiff business owners registering for PAYE for the first time.
How far in advance should I register for PAYE?
What information do I need to provide?
What happens after I register?
Do I need PAYE if I only employ myself as a director?
Can you handle the ongoing payroll after registration?
What if I miss the PAYE registration deadline?
How much does PAYE registration cost?
Do you work with businesses outside Cardiff?
Let's get your PAYE registration sorted
Book a free consultation and we'll talk through the timeline, what you need to provide, and how we'll make sure everything's in place before your first payday.
Book a free consultation