Last updated: 16 October 2026
What is the final payment submission of the tax year?
The final Full Payment Submission (FPS) is the last RTI return for the tax year, sent on or before the last payday before 5 April. You mark it as the final submission for the year, which tells HMRC your payroll figures for the year are complete. If you’ve already sent your last FPS without the marker, send an Employer Payment Summary (EPS) by 19 April to confirm the year end instead. Late or missing final submissions can cause penalties and wrong tax codes for employees.
What to do at year end
- Run the last payroll of the tax year.
2. Tick the “final submission for year” indicator on the FPS.
3. If you forgot, send an EPS marked as final by 19 April.
4. Give each employee on payroll at 5 April a P60 by 31 May.
5. File P11D and P11D(b) by 6 July for benefits not payrolled.
6. Pay Class 1A NIC by 22 July (electronic).
Key dates for 2026/27
| Task | Deadline |
| Final FPS | On or before last payday before 6 April 2027 |
| EPS (if final FPS not marked) | 19 April 2027 |
| P60s to employees | 31 May 2027 |
| P11D and P11D(b) | 6 July 2027 |
| Class 1A NIC payment | 22 July 2027 |
Correcting mistakes
- Up to 19 April: send an additional FPS
- After 19 April: send an FPS for the year (or an earlier year update for 2019/20 and earlier)
Changes from April 2027
From 6 April 2027, company cars, car fuel, vans, van fuel and medical benefits must be payrolled, and most other benefits follow from April 2028. P11Ds will no longer be needed for payrolled benefits, though Class 1A NIC reporting continues. Employers should check their payroll software is ready before the start of the 2027/28 tax year.
Example
A shop pays its staff monthly on the 28th. The March 2027 payroll is the last in the 2026/27 tax year. The owner marks the FPS as final, issues P60s in April, and reports a health insurance benefit for the manager on a P11D by 6 July, paying £150 of Class 1A NIC by 22 July.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the final submission marker
- Issuing P60s late
- Not updating new tax codes for April
- Missing leavers’ dates
Records to keep
Keep payroll records, FPS and EPS confirmations and copies of P60s for at least 3 years.
Leavers and new starters at year end
Employees who left before 5 April don’t get a P60, as they will already have a P45. Make sure their leaving date was sent on an FPS. New starters joining near the year end need a starter checklist so the right code is used from the first payday in the new year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I send a final FPS if nobody was paid in March?
Send an EPS marked final instead.
Can I give P60s electronically?
Yes.
What if my business closes?
Mark the final FPS as the scheme’s final submission and give the cessation date.
Are there penalties for not marking final?
HMRC may chase you and issue penalties if the EPS is missing.
New tax year checks
Before the first payday in April, apply new tax codes, update minimum wage rates (£12.71 for 21 and over in 2026/27) and check whether you can claim the Employment Allowance again.
Related: what RTI is, electronic benefits returns and BIK reporting changes.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with year-end payroll help. See our payroll accountants service, or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
This page is general guidance based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked against gov.uk on 16 October 2026. It is not personal advice, so speak to an accountant about your own situation.
