There are a multitude of rules that new businesses must follow when they start employing staff for the first time. These include ensuring registering for PAYE as an employer with HMRC. This must be done before the first payday and this process must even be completed by directors of a limited company who are employed by the company.

There is no requirement to register as an employer in the event that none of your employees are paid more than £123 a week, don’t receive expenses or benefits and don’t have another job or get a pension. However, even if this was the case you are still required to keep payroll records.

Setting up payroll for the first time can be daunting and we are here to help. As a general rule you have the choice between using a payroll provider or running your own payroll. If you decide to run your own payroll you must choose suitable payroll software.

HMRC also needs to be sent information about tax and other deductions from employees’ pay when the employee is paid. This is done using the Real Time Information (RTI) system which involves employers sending HMRC information each tax month. Tax months run from the 6th of one month to the 5th of the next.

You must also ensure that you are complying with the minimum wage legislation, check that any new employees have the legal right to work in the UK and to be aware that you will be required to offer a workplace pension scheme.