This free RTI payroll checklist lists every Real Time Information task a small employer has to complete each month, quarter and tax year, with the HMRC due date beside each one. Choose the payroll month, assign who does each task, mark progress as you go, and the band at the top counts what is complete and what is still outstanding.
What is on the checklist?
There are 14 tasks in three groups, set up for the 2026-27 tax year:
| Group | Tasks and due dates |
|---|---|
| Monthly | Run payroll, send the FPS on or before payday, pay staff, issue payslips, check the submission was accepted, send an EPS by the 19th of the following tax month if needed, pay PAYE and NI by the 22nd (19th by post), update the P32 record |
| Quarterly | Check the Employment Allowance claim, reconcile payroll to the nominal ledger |
| Annual | Final FPS or EPS, P60s by 31 May, P11D and P11D(b) by 6 July, Class 1A NI by 22 July (19 July by post) |
Every task and due date is editable, so you can add your own steps, such as pension contributions or a sign-off by your accountant.
How does the count work?
TOTAL TASKS counts every task on the sheet. COMPLETED counts those marked Complete, and OUTSTANDING is everything that is neither Complete nor N/A, including tasks you have not started. A task left blank still counts as outstanding, so nothing slips through.
Why do RTI dates matter?
HMRC can charge penalties for late FPS submissions and late PAYE payments, and interest runs on late payments. Working through the same list every month is the simplest way to avoid that. For your own tax, if you also have self-employment or rental income, our MTD key dates page lists the quarterly deadlines that apply under Making Tax Digital.
