Plan ahead for payroll year end 2026

How to plan ahead for your payroll year end 2026 in Sage 50 Payroll.

Get ready to install your update

The upcoming year end update includes legislation for both the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 tax years. This means that you can install it as soon as it becomes available.

To ensure your installation goes smoothly, we recommend you complete some preparation steps. Visit the prepare to update your software article for details of what you need to do.

If you have IT support who install your payroll updates, we recommend you advise them of this upcoming update.

Release date

The release date for the year end update isn't confirmed, however we estimate release will be in late February or early March.

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Check if you have a week 53

If you pay your employees weekly, fortnightly or four weekly and your regular pay date falls on Sunday 5 April 2026, then you have a week 53.

This is simply an extra pay period within the tax year. If you have a week 53, process it as normal and your software automatically calculates payments correctly.

If you'd like help with checking this, visit our how to identify and process week 53 article.

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Register for a free live webinar

Gain the confidence and knowledge to install the update and prepare for your year end.

Visit the payroll year end webinars 2026 article to book your free place on our webinars today.

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Help with payroll year end

We're updating the 2026 Payroll Year End hub with everything you need to complete your year end. 

In Sage 50 Payroll, select Weblinks then Payroll Year End Support and visit the hub to find the latest information.

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Check your HMRC submissions

Be confident about what you've submitted for each period of the tax year.

View and reconcile the figures you've sent to HMRC in your full payment submission (FPS) and employer payment summary (EPS) for each period.

Find out how to check your submissions in our check your HMRC submissions article.

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