To integrate payroll best practices into your everyday processes, you first need a clear view of the key dates in the payroll calendar. After all, how else will you know when your final FPS needs to be submitted or the final pay date of the year? This guide gives you everything you need—from how tax months work to the complete 2026–27 schedule.
Tax month vs calendar month: key differences
A UK tax month always runs from the 6th of one calendar month to the 5th of the following calendar month. This rule remains constant regardless of weekends or leap years. However, the deadline for paying HMRC shifts depending on the day of the week.
Electronic payments must clear into the HMRC account by the 22nd of the month following the end of the tax month. If the 22nd falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the payment must be cleared by the last working day before the 22nd.
How UK tax months work
A UK tax month always runs from the 6th of one calendar month to the 5th of the following calendar month. This rule remains constant regardless of weekends or leap years. However, the deadline for paying HMRC shifts depending on the day of the week.
Electronic payments must clear into the HMRC account by the 22nd of the month following the end of the tax month. If the 22nd falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the payment must be cleared by the last working day before the 22nd.
Tax month vs calendar month: key differences
| Feature | Calendar Month | Tax Month |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | 1st of the month | 6th of the month |
| End Date | 30th or 31st (or 28th/29th) | 5th of the next month |
| Primary Use | Corporate accounting | PAYE and NI calculation |
| Payment Due | Contractual pay date | 22nd of the following month |
2026–27 tax month schedule with payment deadlines
The following table lists the exact dates for each tax month and the adjusted deadline for electronic payments.
| Tax Month | Period Covering | Electronic Payment Deadline | Reason for Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 6 Apr – 5 May 26 | Friday 22 May 2026 | None |
| Month 2 | 6 May – 5 Jun 26 | Monday 22 June 2026 | None |
| Month 3 | 6 Jun – 5 Jul 26 | Wednesday 22 July 2026 | None |
| Month 4 | 6 Jul – 5 Aug 26 | Friday 21 August 2026 | 22nd is Saturday |
| Month 5 | 6 Aug – 5 Sept 26 | Tuesday 22 September 2026 | None |
| Month 6 | 6 Sep – 5 Oct 26 | Thursday 22 October 2026 | None |
| Month 7 | 6 Oct – 5 Nov 2026 | Friday 20 November 2026 | 22nd is Saturday |
| Month 8 | 6 Nov – 5 Dec 26 | Tuesday 22 December 2026 | None |
| Month 9 | 6 Dec 26 – 5 Jan 27 | Friday 22 January 2027 | None |
| Month 10 | 6 Jan – 5 Feb 27 | Monday 22 February 2027 | None |
| Month 11 | 6 Feb – 5 Mar 27 | Monday 22 March 2027 | None |
| Month 12 | 6 Mar – 5 Apr 27 | Thursday 22 April 2027 | None |
UK tax week calendar (2026–27)
The tax week system divides the fiscal year into 7-day blocks starting strictly on Monday, 6 April 2026. This creates a consistent cycle for weekly payroll calculations where the tax-free allowance is allocated.
This calendar helps you calculate payroll on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Fortnightly payrolls simply combine two tax weeks—for example, a fortnightly payroll run would cover Tax Weeks 1 and 2 together.
| Tax Week | Dates | Tax Week | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 6 Apr – 12 Apr 2026 | Week 27 | 5 Oct – 11 Oct 2026 |
| Week 2 | 13 Apr – 19 Apr 2026 | Week 28 | 12 Oct – 18 Oct 2026 |
| Week 3 | 20 Apr – 26 Apr 2026 | Week 29 | 19 Oct – 25 Oct 2026 |
| Week 4 | 27 Apr – 3 May 2026 | Week 30 | 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2026 |
| Week 5 | 4 May – 10 May 2026 | Week 31 | 2 Nov – 8 Nov 2026 |
| Week 6 | 11 May – 17 May 2026 | Week 32 | 9 Nov – 15 Nov 2026 |
| Week 7 | 18 May – 24 May 2026 | Week 33 | 16 Nov – 22 Nov 2026 |
| Week 8 | 25 May – 31 May 2026 | Week 34 | 23 Nov – 29 Nov 2026 |
| Week 9 | 1 Jun – 7 Jun 2026 | Week 35 | 30 Nov – 6 Dec 2026 |
| Week 10 | 8 Jun – 14 Jun 2026 | Week 36 | 7 Dec – 13 Dec 2026 |
| Week 11 | 15 Jun – 21 Jun 2026 | Week 37 | 14 Dec – 20 Dec 2026 |
| Week 12 | 22 Jun – 28 Jun 2026 | Week 38 | 21 Dec – 27 Dec 2026 |
| Week 13 | 29 Jun – 5 Jul 2026 | Week 39 | 28 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 |
| Week 14 | 6 Jul – 12 Jul 2026 | Week 40 | 4 Jan – 10 Jan 2027 |
| Week 15 | 13 Jul – 19 Jul 2026 | Week 41 | 11 Jan – 17 Jan 2027 |
| Week 16 | 20 Jul – 26 Jul 2026 | Week 42 | 18 Jan – 24 Jan 2027 |
| Week 17 | 27 Jul – 2 Aug 2026 | Week 43 | 25 Jan – 31 Jan 2027 |
| Week 18 | 3 Aug – 9 Aug 2026 | Week 44 | 1 Feb – 7 Feb 2027 |
| Week 19 | 10 Aug – 16 Aug 2026 | Week 45 | 8 Feb – 14 Feb 2027 |
| Week 20 | 17 Aug – 23 Aug 2026 | Week 46 | 15 Feb – 21 Feb 2027 |
| Week 21 | 24 Aug – 30 Aug 2026 | Week 47 | 22 Feb – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Week 22 | 24 Aug – 30 Aug 2026 | Week 48 | 1 Mar – 7 Mar 2027 |
| Week 23 | 7 Sep – 13 Sep 2026 | Week 49 | 8 Mar – 14 Mar 2027 |
| Week 24 | 14 Sep – 20 Sep 2026 | Week 50 | 15 Mar – 21 Mar 2027 |
| Week 25 | 21 Sep – 27 Sep 2026 | Week 51 | 22 Mar – 28 Mar 2027 |
| Week 26 | 28 Sep – 4 Oct 2026 | Week 52 | 29 Mar – 4 Apr 2027 |
Why do these dates matter?
Missing key deadlines carries real consequences. Missed submissions—like the Employer Payment Summary (EPS) or your final Full Payment Submission (FPS)—can trigger HMRC penalties even when the underlying payroll is correct. The simplest fix is to build reminders into your calendar well ahead of the 19th of each month, not on the day itself.
Better still, configure your payroll software to automate Real Time Information (RTI) submissions alongside BACS payments so that the two stay in sync—nothing is missed, and penalties from HMRC are avoided.
The tax calendar also matters at year-end. Knowing your final FPS deadline, P60 issue date, and P11D filing window in advance means there are no last-minute surprises as April approaches.
Stay ahead of the 2026–27 payroll calendar with Cintra
Staying ahead of payroll deadlines is not just about compliance. It is about running a smoother, more reliable payroll operation throughout the year. With a clear understanding of the 2026–27 payroll calendar, tax months, and HMRC submission deadlines, you can reduce risk, avoid unnecessary penalties, and give payroll teams the structure they need to work efficiently.
That is where Cintra helps. From automated RTI submissions and BACS integration to expert payroll support and compliance-driven processes, we give you the confidence that payroll is being handled correctly and on time.
With Cintra, payroll teams gain more than software. They gain visibility, control, and peace of mind throughout every stage of the payroll year. Book a demo to see this in practice.
Payroll Legislation Guide
The facts, figures, thresholds and allowances for 2026/27 spanning tax, National Insurance, pensions, statutory payments and more.
