HMRC employer helpline: PAYE number, hours and common queries

The HMRC employer helpline is 0300 200 3200, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and closed on bank holidays. It handles PAYE, National Insurance, statutory payments, stakeholder pensions and student loan repayments. Call from outside the UK on +44 151 268 0558, and have your Accounts Office reference or PAYE reference to hand.

Which HMRC employer number should you call?

The right number depends on your query, because HMRC runs separate lines for new employers and for payment problems. These are the numbers on GOV.UK, checked on 6 November 2026.

All five lines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The Employers: general enquiries page was last updated on 19 December 2025, when HMRC added Christmas and New Year opening times. The payment enquiries page had its numbers updated on 30 September 2026.

For every other HMRC line, see our HMRC telephone numbers list.

What the employer helpline covers

The general line deals with employer questions on five areas.

• PAYE and Real Time Information submissions
• National Insurance contributions
• Statutory Payments, such as Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay
• Stakeholder pensions
• Student loan repayments

It does not deal with an employee’s own tax code or refund. Staff should call the HMRC employee helpline themselves. You cannot pay a bill on 0300 200 3200 either; it only gives advice on how to pay.

What to have ready before you call

You need your Accounts Office reference or PAYE reference; without them, HMRC says it can only give general advice. HMRC may also ask security questions.

Use this checklist before you dial.

• Accounts Office reference or employer PAYE reference
• The tax month or payroll run the query is about
• Any HMRC letter or penalty notice, with its date
• Up-to-date details and address in your business tax account, so you pass security
• A pen, to note the adviser’s name, the date and any reference number

If you are a new employer and have not yet set up payroll, read our guide to setting up PAYE first.

Common reasons employers call

Most employer calls fall into a few groups. Many of them can be dealt with online instead.

1. Payment allocation. A PAYE payment shows against the wrong month. Check the payment reference you used before calling.
2. Late filing penalties. You have a penalty for a late Full Payment Submission. Check the dates on the notice before you call.
3. Statutory pay. You need to check entitlement or recovery of SSP, SMP or SPP.
4. Student loans. You have a start or stop notice and are unsure which plan type to use.
5. New schemes. You need your references reissued or your scheme closed.

HMRC’s digital assistant at tax.service.gov.uk covers many of these, and can pass you to an adviser in webchat if one is available.

When is the employer helpline least busy?

HMRC does not publish waiting times for the employer line on its own. Its performance data, published on 8 October 2026, gives one figure across all helplines.

HMRC says some of its other lines, such as VAT, are less busy between 8:30am and 11am. Our guide to the best time to call HMRC sets out the patterns by day and month.

Which applies to you?

• If you cannot pay a PAYE bill by the deadline, call 0300 200 3819 before the due date, not after.
• If you have just taken on your first employee, call 0300 200 3211 for the new employer service.
• If an employee queries their own tax code, send them to the employee helpline.
• If you are an agent calling about a client’s payroll, see our guide to the HMRC agent dedicated line.
• Otherwise, call 0300 200 3200.

What employers should do now

1. Save the right numbers. Keep the general and payment problems lines in your payroll file.
2. Check your payment dates. Under GOV.UK guidance, PAYE is due by the 22nd of the next tax month, or by the 19th if you pay by cheque.
3. Plan for Christmas. HMRC publishes festive opening times on each contact page in December; check them before the break.
4. Estimate employer costs. Use our employer National Insurance calculator before you change salaries in April 2027.

Frequently asked questions

What is the HMRC employer helpline number?

The number is 0300 200 3200. From outside the UK, call +44 151 268 0558.

What are the HMRC employer helpline opening hours?

It is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. It is closed at weekends and on bank holidays.

Can I pay my PAYE bill over the phone?

No. HMRC says you cannot make a payment on its employer payment line; it only gives advice on how to pay.

What number do I call if I cannot pay PAYE on time?

Call the employer payment problems line on 0300 200 3819. It is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Is there a helpline for new employers?

Yes. HMRC’s new employer line is 0300 200 3211, with a textphone on 0300 200 3212. It covers PAYE in real time, statutory pay, student loans and the Construction Industry Scheme.