To assist users in completing the 2025/26 tax year and transitioning to the new tax year 2026/27, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions below.

 

a) What steps do I need to complete to finalise the 2025/26 tax year?

• Please click here to access our simple step-by-step guide for completing the year end process in BrightPay. (these will be updated for 2025/26 in the coming weeks) 

b) How do I issue P60s to employees?

• The P60 option is located within the Employees menu
   
• Select an employee who is in active employment as at 5th April from the left hand listing
   
• Click P60 on the menu bar and simply select the P60 option you require

Note: An employee has to be employed on 5th April 2026 to receive a P60. An employee who has left prior to this date will not receive a P60, they should be issued with a P45.

c) How do I notify HMRC that the last RTI submission is my final submission for the tax year?

• Within the RTI menu in 2025/26 BrightPay, select 'RTI > New > Employer Payment Summary'
• Where you have recoverable amounts, tick this box and select 'tax month 12' or 'tax quarter 4'
• Tick the Final Submission indicator and click OK to generate the EPS
• Submit to HMRC

d) Do I have a week 53 in the 2025/26 tax year?

• Only if an employer pays employees on a Saturday and the last pay date of the 2025/26 tax year is Sunday 5th April 2026.

e) When will the new tax year 2026/27 BrightPay be available?

• 26/27 BrightPay is available now! 

If you cannot see the 2026/27 tax year option in the dropdown menu, ensure that you are in the Home Screen - 'Browse Employers' screen to be able to access the new tax year. If it is still not showing, try to refresh your browser and then click on the tax year dropdown again to switch tax years.
 

f) Is it ok to import my data into 2026/27 BrightPay before my payroll is finished for the 2025/26 tax year?

• We advise waiting until your payroll is fully completed for the current tax year before importing into the new tax year version. This will ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information is being imported from the previous tax year.

g) How do I start the new tax year in 26/27 BrightPay?

• Each tax year, we release an updated version of the software to reflect the latest budget changes.

  To move your payroll into the new tax year, close out of the company and go to the Browse Employers screen. From the top left, select 2025/26 — you’ll then see 2026/27 available in the dropdown.
   

• Please select 2026/27 to move forward to the new tax year. You will see your employer(s)' details listed on the employer dashboard. You can import your employer into the new tax year.  You can still access the information for the previous tax year 2025/26 BrightPay by selecting the 2025/26 option to switch tax years.

h) How do I import my data from 2025/26 BrightPay into 2026/27 BrightPay for the new tax year?

• First, if you have selected the 2026/27 option to move forward to the new tax year you will see your employer(s) details listed on the employer dashboard.The icon to the left of the employer's name will have a dotted line around it.
   
• If you wish to import this employer into the new 2026/27 tax year please select the employer's name.
   
• A message will show 'A record for Employer XYZ does not yet exist for the 2026/27 tax year. To use this employer in 2026/27, you must import its data from 2025/26.' Please select 'Import Now'.
   
• Your employer and employee details will now be imported into 2026/27 BrightPay and the icon to the left of the employer's name will be in grey.
  
   

i) Do I need to send a new Employer Payment Summary to HMRC to claim the Employment Allowance?
 

• Yes. Since 6th April 2020, Employment Allowance does not auto renew for an employer as it did in previous tax years.
   
• An employer now has to submit an Employer Payment Summary to HMRC every tax year to notify HMRC that they will be claiming the Employment Allowance.
   
• Once this EPS is sent to HMRC, the employer can then enable the Employment Allowance in the first tax period within the 'HMRC Payments' utility in BrightPay.
   
• Please note: HMRC must also be notified via an Employer Payment Summary if you are no longer eligible for the Employment Allowance.
   
• Further guidance on operating the Employment Allowance in BrightPay is available here.

j) I've received a tax code notice but I have finalised all payroll in the 2025/26 tax year. Can I enter it in the 2026/27 tax year?
 

• Yes, if you have finalised all pay periods in previous tax year then enter the new tax code in the 2026/27 tax year. On the coding notice, it should state the 'Effective Date'. Any coding notices received after year end should be applied in the new tax year.

k) How can I tell if the last FPS / EPS submission had the 'final submission' flag ticked?
 

• Go to the Employer section, then select Client Details. Here, you can view whether the ‘Final FPS/EPS' Submission box was ticked for each PAYE scheme.

Note: If your period end falls on or just before 5th April but the next pay date is 6th April 2026 or after, this will be period 1 in the 2026/27 tax year. It is the payment date and not the period end that dictates which tax year the payment falls into.

As it is the pay date and not the period end that dictates the week number, if the payment date is on or after 6th April 2026 - this will be week 1 in the 26/27 tax year. The schedule in the new tax year can be set up following the period end / pay dates from week 52. Example; if week 52 period end is Sunday 29/03/26 with a pay date of Friday 03/04/26, then week 1 would be set up with period end Sunday 05/04/26 with a pay date of Friday 10/04/26.