How Do I Register as a Nanny Employer with HMRC?

Hiring a nanny comes with big responsibilities — and one of the first steps is registering as an employer with HMRC.
If you pay your nanny more than £123 per week, you’re legally required to operate PAYE (Pay As You Earn) payroll.
Here’s exactly how to register, what you’ll need, and how to make the process stress-free.

1. Who Needs to Register as an Employer

If you employ a nanny directly — even part-time or shared with another family — HMRC classifies you as an employer.
You must register if you:

• Pay your nanny more than £123 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance)

• Provide regular, scheduled work

• Set their hours and tasks

💡 You must register before your nanny’s first payday — otherwise, you risk penalties or delays with PAYE setup.

2. What You’ll Need Before Registering

Before starting your registration, have the following ready:

• Your National Insurance Number

• Your nanny’s full name, address, and National Insurance Number

• The start date of their employment

• An estimate of their weekly or monthly pay

If you plan to use a payroll service (like Hirelo), you can still complete the registration — you’ll just list us as your payroll agent once your account is created.

3. Step-by-Step: How to Register with HMRC

Registering is done online through the HMRC website.
Here’s the simple process:

Step 1: Visit GOV.UK - Register as an Employer
Step 2: Click “Start now” and sign in with your Government Gateway ID (or create one).
Step 3: Enter your personal and employment details.
Step 4: HMRC will issue you an Employer PAYE Reference and Accounts Office Reference within 5–10 days.

💡 These references are crucial — they’re needed to submit payroll each month and pay HMRC the correct tax and National Insurance.

4. Once You’re Registered

After registration, you’ll be legally responsible for:

• Running payroll and issuing payslips

• Calculating and paying your nanny’s Income Tax and National Insurance

• Making pension contributions if they qualify

• Submitting Real Time Information (RTI) reports to HMRC every pay period

This can feel daunting — but that’s exactly where Hirelo helps.

5. How Hirelo Makes It Easier

Hirelo takes care of everything once you’ve registered:
✅ Setting up PAYE and your employer account correctly
✅ Processing payslips, tax, and pension automatically
✅ Submitting all reports directly to HMRC on your behalf

You stay compliant — without needing to learn payroll.
It’s stress-free, transparent, and designed specifically for parents like you.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-meaning parents make simple errors when registering:
🚫 Forgetting to register before the first payday
🚫 Using their personal tax login instead of a new employer account
🚫 Misreporting start dates or incorrect employee details

If you’re unsure — or need to correct a previous registration — Hirelo can handle this for you and ensure HMRC records are accurate.

7. When to Register (and How Long It Takes)

You can register up to 2 months before your nanny starts, and it typically takes 5–10 working days to receive your PAYE reference.
It’s a good idea to start early, so you’re ready to pay your nanny on time.

Registering with HMRC is a crucial step in being a responsible and compliant employer.
It may sound administrative — but once you’ve done it, you’ve taken the biggest step toward stress-free nanny employment.
And if you’d rather not deal with HMRC forms, Hirelo can do it for you.