Skip to main content
All CollectionsFactsheets & Guides
How to create an HMRC account and activate your PAYE for Employers
How to create an HMRC account and activate your PAYE for Employers
Rebecca Russell avatar
Written by Rebecca Russell
Updated over a year ago

Use our guide to help you create an account for HMRC online services in 6 simple steps.

⚠️ Before you start, you’ll need your employer’s PAYE reference number and your accounts office reference number. You won’t be able to register for HMRC's online services without them, so make sure you have these to hand.

1️⃣ Click on this link https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/registration and go to HMRC's registration page

Follow the steps to create the account:

2️⃣ Click on "Create sign in details" and follow the steps.

  • Soon after you add your email address, you will receive a message with a code that you will use to register.

  • After you enter the code, continue the registration by entering your name and creating a password.

  • You will see on your screen your Government Gateway user ID which will also be sent to your email address.

Important

⚠️ Make sure you keep a note with your Government Gateway user ID and your password as you will need them when you use your account.

3️⃣ The type of account you need will be shown during the next step. You will have to select "Organisation".

You ought to continue to select "Organisation" when the screen displays similar questions.

4️⃣ Next, select "PAYE for Employers" for the employer tax or scheme.

5️⃣ You will then need to enter your employer’s PAYE reference number and accounts office reference number. Once you’ve done this, click "Next". You will then have finished the registration process.

6️⃣ In order to activate the login for PAYE, you will need the activation pin which will be sent in the post a few days after the completion of the registration process.

When you receive the activation pin, you will have to log in and enter. You may need to select the "PAYE for Employers" service first.

7️⃣ The activation will then be complete and you will have full access to HMRC's online services.

💡 After everything is set up you can enter your user ID and password into your PayFit account. This will then give PayFit the ability to automatically update the real-time information (RTI) submission for you.

⚠️ Last but not least
You may need to check that your PAYE notifications are set to "automatic" with HMRC. If they aren’t set to automatic you will receive them in the post and you will have to update them manually. PayFit connects to HMRC's systems daily and will be able to update tax codes for you. If you’re not sure if you’ve done this, have a read of our quick guide "Why should I activate my PAYE notifications?" and see why and how you should set up automatic RTI submissions.

Did this answer your question?