HMRC RTI Payroll Error Codes:
Causes & Resolutions

When submitting Real Time Information (RTI) returns—such as Full Payment Submissions (FPS) or Employer Payment Summary (EPS) filings—HMRC's gateway may reject the data submission and return a specific error code or message.

Below is a reference table and diagnostic guide to help you identify, troubleshoot, and resolve common payroll filing errors.

Field Formatting & Date Errors

Invalid Date Range on EPS (NOPAYMENTDATETO / NOPAYMENTDATEFROM):

• Cause:
  

  Attempting to submit a "No Payment Made" EPS before the start of the relevant tax month (e.g., trying to submit a Month 1 nil return prior to 6th April).

• Resolution:
  

  Ensure EPS nil returns are generated and submitted within or after the tax month to which they relate (between the 6th of the current month and the 19th of the following month).

Character Limit Exceeded (Field Value Too Large):

• Cause:
  

  Text fields—such as Account Holder Name on repayment requests or employee address lines—exceed HMRC's maximum character limits.

• Resolution:
  

  Truncate special characters or long company/account names in your software settings to fit HMRC field length constraints, then re-submit.

Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) Validation Error:

• Cause:
  

  Cumulative LEL earnings entered on an employee’s profile exceed the allowable threshold for the number of pay periods run, or there is an NI calculation basis mismatch (e.g., employee vs. director settings).

• Resolution:
  

  Check the National Insurance category and earnings history in the employee's payroll profile. Ensure the NI basis (Standard Employee vs. Director) matches between the profile and the active payslip.

General Troubleshooting Workflow

1. Verify Official Data:

Check that the PAYE Reference (e.g., 123/AB12345) and Accounts Office Reference (e.g., 123PQ00123456) match official HMRC correspondence.

2. Clear Cached Credentials:

Disable browser auto-fill on submission screens to avoid invisible space characters or outdated passwords being submitted.

3. Check HMRC Portal Status:

Log in directly to the HMRC Government Gateway portal to check for alerts, tax code updates, or account holds before re-submitting.