Collection

Basic PAYE Tools guidance for employers

Find out how to download, install and run Basic PAYE Tools, and also how to use Basic PAYE Tools with other payroll software.

• From: HM Revenue & Customs
• Published: 12 June 2014
• Last updated: 7 June 2019
  Show all updates

  1. 7 June 2019

     This page has been updated to remove the section about error messages.

  2. 12 June 2014

     First published.

These guides will help you download and install Basic PAYE Tools and run your payroll.

Some guides can be used by employers whose commercial payroll software does not carry out certain tasks.

This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Downloading and installing Basic PAYE Tools

• Download HMRC's Basic PAYE Tools
  • Answer
• First time users: install and set up Basic PAYE Tools
  • 17 July 2025
  • Guidance
• Basic PAYE Tools: how to use with Linux operating systems
  • 18 March 2026
  • Guidance

Running payroll with Basic PAYE Tools

• Basic PAYE Tools user guide
  • 21 July 2026
  • Guidance
• Tell HMRC when an employee leaves if you use Basic PAYE Tools
  • 27 February 2025
  • Guidance

Using Basic PAYE Tools alongside other payroll software

• Find or check an employee's National Insurance number using Basic PAYE Tools
  • 17 December 2024
  • Guidance
• Send an Employer Payment Summary using Basic PAYE Tools
  • 6 April 2026
  • Guidance