PAYE Registration Service
Register as an employer with HMRC, done properly.
Most business owners only think about PAYE registration the week their first employee starts — which is already too late. HMRC requires registration before the first payday, and the references you receive dictate every RTI submission that follows. We handle the registration end to end: fixed fee, qualified accountants, replies the same day you ask.
- PAYE registration completed before your first payroll date
- Employer PAYE and Accounts Office references obtained correctly
- Clear guidance on RTI obligations from day one
- No HMRC back-and-forth landing on your desk
No long-term contract required. Get your PAYE registration sorted, and if you want ongoing payroll support afterwards, we can quote for that too — separately, and only if it is useful.
Get a free quote
Fixed pricing. Same-day reply.
What our clients say
★★★★★
Fast, Clear, Nothing Left Unexplained
“Prads was very fast and communicative with my personal annual filing.”
★★★★★
Made a Complex Process Straightforward
“Prad makes the whole process straightforward and stress-free. His knowledge of UK accounting and HM Revenue & Customs is second to none.”
★★★★★
Confidence That Everything Is Handled
“Professional, efficient, confidence that everything is taken care of.”
★★★★★
Switched Accountants and Never Looked Back
“I switched from another accountant about a year ago and haven’t looked back since. Their expertise, efficiency, and positive ‘can-do’ attitude make them stand out.”
Sound familiar?
Hiring your first employee and not sure where to start?
PAYE registration sits at the top of a list of things most employers only discover they needed to do after the fact. The rules are straightforward once you know them, but the timing matters: register too late and HMRC notices. Get the references wrong and your first RTI submission bounces. Most business owners have better things to do than work that out alone.
- Unsure whether you need to register for PAYE before the first payday
- Waiting on HMRC references that have not arrived, with a payroll deadline approaching
- Not clear what RTI means in practice or what you are now required to submit
What registered and ready looks like
We handle the HMRC registration, retrieve the references, and explain what happens next in plain terms. By the time your first employee is on payroll, you know exactly what is required and when.
- PAYE registration submitted to HMRC before your first payday — no last-minute scramble
- Employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference confirmed and handed to you clearly
- RTI obligations explained in plain English before your first submission is due
- Fixed, transparent fee — no surprises, no ongoing commitment unless you want it
What employers say after working with us
From first-time hirers to growing businesses adding headcount, business owners across the UK have used Wings to get their employer registration right from the start.
Prads and his team are the best. Very professional, easy to work with, and always on hand to answer any questions we have. Cannot recommend them enough.
Prads and the team made filing our accounts so easy. They were patient, knowledgeable, responsive and good to work with. We would highly recommend them.
Everything your PAYE registration covers
One fixed fee covers the full registration process with HMRC — from the initial application through to receiving your references and understanding what comes next.
HMRC Employer Registration
We complete and submit your employer registration with HMRC, ensuring the correct start date, business details, and employee information are included from the outset. Getting this right at the point of registration avoids delays and correspondence that can hold up your first payroll run.
Included as standardPAYE and Accounts Office References
Once registration is processed, you receive your employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference — the two codes every RTI submission and PAYE payment requires. We confirm these with you clearly so nothing gets lost between HMRC and your payroll setup.
Included as standardRTI Obligations Explained Plainly
Real Time Information submissions are required on or before every payday, and the requirements catch some new employers off guard. We explain what RTI means for your business, when submissions are due, and what happens if a submission is late — before any of that becomes a problem.
Included as standardHeard consistently, across different businesses
These are unprompted reviews from business owners who needed compliance handled properly and without fuss — from sole traders to growing companies.
Above And Beyond, Done On Time
“Prads at Wings online filings went above and beyond to help us out in a timely and professional manner, flexible online meetings, extra work to fix my mistakes. Would recommend 100%”
Affordable Support, Super Quick Communication
“Incredible service and really affordable support for small businesses. Super quick and clear communication, and very reliable. Really loved working with them, highly recommend.”
Communicative, Fast, Professional Throughout
“Prads, the owner, was fantastic — very communicative, fast, and professional throughout the whole process. He explained everything clearly and gave genuine, helpful advice, which made things so much easier for me.”
Why business owners use us for PAYE registration
There are faster ways to get registered. There are also ways to get it wrong that take months to unpick with HMRC. Here is what makes the difference.
Registration done before it matters
HMRC requires PAYE registration to be in place before the first payday — not the same week. We know the timelines and submit with enough lead time for references to arrive before they are needed. Getting this right once is considerably cheaper than correcting it under deadline pressure.
Plain English on what comes next
PAYE registration is the beginning, not the end. RTI submissions, pension auto-enrolment staging dates, P60s, P11Ds — each one has its own deadline. We explain what you are now obligated to do and when, so nothing comes as a surprise six months in.
The best priced service, backed by a promise
Wings Online Filings is the best priced online accountancy practice in the UK. If you find a lower quote from another business for the same service, we will match it. Same qualified accountants, same reliable process — at the lowest price you will find online.
PAYE registered in four straightforward steps
Most of the work is ours. You provide a few details, we handle the registration, and you receive your HMRC references ready to use.
Request a quote
Complete the short quote form or call us on 020 8089 1876. We will confirm the fee, ask for the basic details we need, and let you know what to expect and when.
We collect the information
We ask for your business details, the employee start date, and a few specifics HMRC requires at registration. No jargon, no long forms — a short exchange by email or call is usually enough.
Registration submitted to HMRC
We complete and submit the registration on your behalf. Once HMRC processes it, your employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference are confirmed and sent to you clearly.
Ready for your first payroll
With your references in hand and your RTI obligations explained, your first payroll can run correctly and on time. If you want us to handle ongoing payroll too, we can quote for that separately — there is no obligation either way.
“I highly recommend Prads and Wings Online Filings. They were professional, responsive, and prompt throughout, and handled our company accounts and tax return smoothly. Excellent service and genuinely reliable, exactly what you want in an accounting partner.”
Common questions about PAYE registration
When exactly do I need to register for PAYE — and what happens if I miss the deadline?
HMRC requires employers to register for PAYE before making their first payment to an employee, provided that employee earns at or above the Lower Earnings Limit (currently £123 per week in 2025/26). If you register late, HMRC may issue a penalty notice and your first RTI submission will reference references you do not yet have, which creates additional correspondence to resolve. Registering with adequate lead time — at least a couple of weeks before the first payday — avoids all of that.
What does the PAYE registration service cost and what is included?
PAYE registration is a quote-based service because the scope can vary depending on your business structure and whether CIS registration or other elements are needed at the same time. The quote covers the full registration with HMRC, retrieval of your employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference, and a plain-English explanation of your RTI obligations going forward. Get a quote using the form on this page and you will hear back the same day.
I have already started paying someone without registering — can you still help?
Yes, and this is not an unusual situation. The priority is to get the registration completed as quickly as possible and establish the correct start date with HMRC. In some cases there may be a late registration to address, but working through that promptly is considerably less complicated than leaving it. Get in touch and we will assess exactly where you stand before anything else.
Do I have to commit to ongoing payroll services once I am registered?
No. The PAYE registration service is a standalone, one-off engagement. Once your references are confirmed and your obligations are explained, there is no requirement to use Wings for ongoing payroll processing. If you want a quote for monthly payroll afterwards, we are happy to provide one — but it is a separate decision and entirely your choice.
What is the difference between my employer PAYE reference and my Accounts Office reference, and why do both matter?
Your employer PAYE reference (sometimes called the PAYE reference or ERN) identifies your business on every RTI submission and is the number employees see on their P60. Your Accounts Office reference is the number used when making PAYE payments to HMRC — it is different from the PAYE reference and must be quoted on every payment. Confusing the two when paying HMRC is a common source of unallocated payments that take time to trace.
Do I need to register for pension auto-enrolment at the same time?
Pension auto-enrolment is a separate obligation that kicks in based on your staging date or, for new employers, from the date your first eligible employee starts. It does not happen automatically at PAYE registration, but the duties begin quickly for new employers. We flag the relevant timelines when we complete your PAYE registration so you are aware of what is coming and when you need to act.
Get your PAYE registration sorted today.
One fixed fee, same-day reply, qualified accountants handling the registration end to end. Your employer references confirmed and your obligations explained in plain English before your first payroll runs.