How to set up your Tide Payroll

To start using Tide Payroll, you first need to connect with HMRC.

This lets Tide Payroll work seamlessly with HMRC's Pay As You Earn system, so you and your employees' tax, national insurance and Student Loans are all calculated and paid automatically.

Use the steps below to get everything set up.

Step 1: Register with HMRC as an employer

You'll first need to let HMRC know that you're an employer, even if you're a director-only business that doesn't have any employees.

Start this step as early as possible to run your first payroll without delays.

If you've already done this, skip steps 1 and 2.

By registering, you'll be set up for PAYE (Pay As You Earn), HMRC's system for collecting tax and National Insurance, as well as student loans.

Registering takes about 15 minutes, but HMRC can take up to up to around 1 month to process it. Bear this in mind to avoid delays to your payroll.

To register, follow these onscreen instructions. You'll need your:

  • Company name, number, and address

  • Number of employees (including all directors)

  • Director(s) name, email address, and National Insurance number

  • Your chosen first salary payment date

Step 2: Get your PAYE details

In about 1 month, after your registration, HMRC will send you by post your:

  • Employer PAYE Reference and Accounts Office Reference – sometimes called your PAYE references

Before you take any further action, you need to wait for your Activation Code letter. It’ll arrive by post in roughly 10 days.

When you get your activation code, log in to your Government Gateway portal.

  • Click on PAYE for employers and enter your activation code

  • This will immediately activate your PAYE references

  • You’ll see your references in the portal under the PAYE for employers box and in your letter

Keep your references handy as you’ll need them for Step 4.

Having trouble with your PAYE details?

Having trouble with your PAYE details?

You have been trying to enter your PAYE details, but keep on getting the error that HMRC couldn't validate your credentials. 

Make sure to follow these steps when entering your PAYE details:

  1. Wait for the two letters from HMRC to arrive – the first with references and the second with activation code

  2. Enter the activation code* on the HMRC website – this will activate your references

  3. Add your references to your app – connect your HMRC account to Tide Payroll and sync your employer references. Read on to find out how

* If you haven't entered your code within 28 days of the date on the letter, you'll need to request a new one.

Having trouble with your login details?

Having trouble with your login details?

Before you contact HMRC, confirm you have the correct login details. As often times you may be entering:

  • Auto-filled login details – when logging in at gov.uk, don't rely on your browser or password manager to pre-fill in your details

  • Your personal account details – at the top of your page, it should say "Business Tax Account"

  • Your login details for another business account – these should be the login credentials for see the business account you want to run Payroll for

Need help resetting your password or reactivating your account?

Need help resetting your password or reactivating your account?

If none of the above steps work, it may be because you:

  • Need to reset your password – you may need to change your password to regain access to your account

  • Haven't used your account for months – sometimes, HMRC may freeze or close your account. You'd need to reactivate it by reaching out to HMRC by contacting gov.uk

If you need further support with setting up your Payroll on HMRC, contact gov.uk.

Step 3: Connect your HMRC account to Tide Payroll

You’ve now got everything you need to set up Tide Payroll. 

Start by logging in to your Tide app, going to the Admin tab and tapping Payroll > Connect your account.

Here you can add the Government Gateway user ID and password you use to log in to your HMRC business tax account. Be sure not to use your personal tax account login details. Tap Save account details to confirm them.

Step 4: Sync your employer references

Having registered with HMRC in Step 1, you'll now have your 'Employer PAYE Reference' and your 'Accounts Office Reference' mentioned in Step 2.

On your app's Payroll homescreen, tap Sync your references and add them to your Tide Payroll. Tap Save employer references to confirm them.

You've now connected your account to HMRC, and are ready to add in your information and schedule your first payday.

Step 5: Add your (and your directors') details

You're now ready to add your personal details, so your personal tax is calculated accurately.

On the Payroll homescreen, tap Add yourself to payroll and add your:

  • Name and address

  • National insurance number

  • Bank details

  • Employment start date

  • Student loan details

  • Payroll ID number (which can be any number you choose)

If you have any directors in your company, add their details too.

Pay your employees with Payment Initiation Service (PIS)

PIS* allows you to make a Payroll payment from your external bank account via your Tide app. Here's what you need to do:

  • Initiate a single Payroll payment to one of your employees. You can do so via mobile, by tapping: Admin > Payroll > Pay Salaries

  • Authorise the payment and approve it securely

  • Your employee will receive the transfer from your bank

* PIS is regulated under Open Banking and PSD2 (in the EU/UK), and uses secure connections. Your login credentials are never shared with the app.

Learn more about PIS

Learn more about PIS

Find out if your bank's supported

We support most major banks. You'll see a list of available banks once you go to Admin > Payroll > Pay Salaries.

If your bank is not on this list, you should use an alternative payment method, i.e. a regular bank transfer or use your Tide account.

Troubleshooting your payments

Get in touch with your bank if your payment was a mistake or was returned.

Learn more about Payroll

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