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Common HMRC Error Codes

Bright Support
  • Updated

Here are some of the common HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) error codes that affect payroll submissions (via RTI — Full Payment Submission (FPS) / Employer Payment Summary (EPS)), along with what they mean and how to fix them:

Error Code
Meaning
Fix
1000
“System failure. The submission of this document has failed due to an internal system error.”
This means that HMRC are having some issues.  Wait and try again later; if persistent, contact HMRC. 
1046
“Authentication Failure. The supplied user credentials failed validation for the requested service.”
Check that your Government Gateway ID / password are correct, ensure the PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference are entered correctly.
3001"Generic HMRC gateway error that usually means the submission has failed due to a data validation issue or a problem with the submission format."
  • Incorrect or missing data (Check new employee's data such as National Insurance numbers, dates of birth, or other mandatory fields)
  • Invalid employer or PAYE reference details
  • Corrupted or incorrectly formatted submission file
  • Negative YTD figures on FPS causing the RTI to be rejected by HMRC
  • HMRC gateway issues (less common, but possible)
4065
“Invalid content found at element” (e.g., extra spaces, incorrect format in names or addresses) 
Remove leading / trailing spaces, ensure correct character usage, check NI numbers and address fields.
4085
“Value doesn’t have the correct format.” 
Ensure numeric / date fields are in expected formats, no invalid characters or blanks where mandatory.
5001
Invalid version of the scheme (e.g., for a HM Revenue & Customs submission such as a CT600).
• Ensure you are using the correct and current schema version required by HMRC for that submission year. 
• If amending a prior‐year submission, check whether that year is still open for the scheme version you’re using (you may need to use an EYU or Additional FPS). 
• Check your software is updated and set to the correct tax period/year; if the namespace or schema is unrecognised, the year may be closed or unsupported.
5001The Date must be today or earlier.Check the DOB entered for any new starters. It is likely that the current year has been used in error when entering, instead of their actual year of birth.
7801
“Accounts Office Ref or PAYE Ref is incorrect.”
Verify the Accounts Office Reference and PAYE reference entered in your payroll software are correct.
7802
“HMRC are not expecting RTI submissions for the PAYE scheme.”
Check that the PAYE scheme is active, that you are authorised for that scheme, and that you have the correct submission type enabled - if persistent, contact HMRC. 
7806
“This submission cannot be accepted as it does not fall within the eligible filing period.”
Ensure the submission period is valid (scheme has started, hasn’t ceased, and the date of submission aligns with the tax month). If persistent, contact HMRC. 
7878 / 7881"If start date is completed .... "

Starter declaration is not present on the FPS for new employee(s)

Re-open the payslip for any new starters for that pay period and remove the employee's start date in their profile and Save Changes. 

Then enter the start date again and select the starter declaration again and Save Changes.
 
Finalise the payslip again

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