{"id":1709,"date":"2024-05-03T14:43:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T14:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/elto\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T13:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T13:43:11","slug":"elto","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/","title":{"rendered":"Tell us your Employer PAYE Reference Number or let us know you&#8217;re exempt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-no-margin hero-bg has-neutral-200-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--150);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--150);background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/simply-business-uk\/assets\/images\/faq-bg.png&apos;);background-size:cover;\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-azure-700-color has-text-color has-link-color has-max-huge-font-size wp-elements-6f37a682c5243e07f3c777e8632af7ac\" id=\"h-tell-us-your-employer-paye-reference-number-or-let-us-know-you-re-exempt\">Tell us your Employer PAYE Reference Number or let us know you&#8217;re exempt<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-azure-700-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-09ac83b1c1dbaf5e4da172862ce06094 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.7\">Because you have chosen <strong>Employers&#8217; Liability<\/strong> cover we need you to tell us your <strong>Employer PAYE Reference Number or confirm that you are exempt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is <strong>important<\/strong> that you provide your <strong>Employer PAYE Reference Number<\/strong> to us so we can identify which companies an employee previously worked, for <strong>in case they make a claim against you and liability needs to be established.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"padding-top:600px;\" class=\"wp-block-simply-business-employers-liability-insurance\">\n\t<iframe type=\"text\/html\" frameborder=\"0\" title=\"ERN Capture Form\" allowtransparency=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/d2o73sv6cfevqg.cloudfront.net\/ern_capture_form\/index.html?ernToken\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\">FAQs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;isExpanded&quot;:false,&quot;accordionId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-2&quot;,&quot;contentId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-2-content&quot;,&quot;headerId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-2-header&quot;}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setupListeners\">\n\t\n\n<button aria-controls=\"tenup-accordion-2-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tenup-accordion-2-header\" class=\"tenup-uikit-container-1 icon-position-right wp-block-tenup-accordion-header is-layout-flex wp-container-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-38d5429e wp-block-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-flex\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"context.isExpanded\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\">\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__title\">\n\t\tWhat is an Employer PAYE Reference Number (or ERN)?\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__icon\">\n\t\t<svg class=\"icon--collapsed\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M8 .929V15.07M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<svg class=\"icon--expanded\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t<\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"tenup-accordion-2-header\" id=\"tenup-accordion-2-content\" inert class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--aria-hidden=\"!context.isExpanded\" data-wp-bind--aria-labelledby=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!context.isExpanded\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content__body\">\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every business that registers with HMRC as an employer receives an Employer PAYE Reference Number (or PAYE number). It\u2019s a unique set of letters and numbers used by the taxman to identify your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your PAYE number is made up of two parts: a three-digit HMRC office number, and a reference number unique to your business. It\u2019ll usually look something like 123\/A45678 or 123\/AB45678 (although there can be exceptions).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s not the same as your ten-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number or your accounts office reference number, which is made up of 13 characters, in the format 123PA12345678. The first three digits will be the same as your PAYE number.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;isExpanded&quot;:false,&quot;accordionId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-4&quot;,&quot;contentId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-4-content&quot;,&quot;headerId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-4-header&quot;}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setupListeners\">\n\t\n\n<button aria-controls=\"tenup-accordion-4-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tenup-accordion-4-header\" class=\"tenup-uikit-container-3 icon-position-right wp-block-tenup-accordion-header is-layout-flex wp-container-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-38d5429e wp-block-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-flex\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"context.isExpanded\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\">\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__title\">\n\t\tWhere can I find my Employer PAYE Reference Number?\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__icon\">\n\t\t<svg class=\"icon--collapsed\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M8 .929V15.07M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<svg class=\"icon--expanded\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t<\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"tenup-accordion-4-header\" id=\"tenup-accordion-4-content\" inert class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--aria-hidden=\"!context.isExpanded\" data-wp-bind--aria-labelledby=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!context.isExpanded\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content__body\">\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HMRC sends out an employer&#8217;s welcome pack when you register with them, including a yellow PAYE Payslip booklet. <strong>Your number is on this booklet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve only just registered, remember it can take up to 14 days to receive your number.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;isExpanded&quot;:false,&quot;accordionId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-6&quot;,&quot;contentId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-6-content&quot;,&quot;headerId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-6-header&quot;}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setupListeners\">\n\t\n\n<button aria-controls=\"tenup-accordion-6-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tenup-accordion-6-header\" class=\"tenup-uikit-container-5 icon-position-right wp-block-tenup-accordion-header is-layout-flex wp-container-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-38d5429e wp-block-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-flex\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"context.isExpanded\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\">\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__title\">\n\t\tWhen do I need an Employer PAYE Reference Number?\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__icon\">\n\t\t<svg class=\"icon--collapsed\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M8 .929V15.07M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<svg class=\"icon--expanded\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t<\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"tenup-accordion-6-header\" id=\"tenup-accordion-6-content\" inert class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--aria-hidden=\"!context.isExpanded\" data-wp-bind--aria-labelledby=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!context.isExpanded\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content__body\">\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HMRC needs your ERN in a number of different circumstances. Perhaps most importantly, you\u2019ll need it when you come to complete your end-of-year PAYE return. An invalid or missing ERN is one of the most common reasons end-of-year returns are rejected \u2013 you\u2019ll need to know this number to meet your statutory reporting obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also likely that you\u2019ll be asked for your ERN by an employee at some point. Employees often need their Employer\u2019s PAYE reference number when applying for tax credits (or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/funding\/universal-credit-for-the-self-employed\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1555\" >Universal Credit<\/a>), applying for Student Loans, and a few other tasks. You may also be required to include it on payslips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s important to have your ERN to hand when you buy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/business-insurance\/employers-liability-insurance\/\">Employers\u2019 Liability insurance<\/a>. This is so you can identify the firms an employee has worked at if there&#8217;s a claim a long time after the event \u2013 for example, in the case of mesothelioma claims relating to exposure to asbestos.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;isExpanded&quot;:false,&quot;accordionId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-8&quot;,&quot;contentId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-8-content&quot;,&quot;headerId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-8-header&quot;}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setupListeners\">\n\t\n\n<button aria-controls=\"tenup-accordion-8-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tenup-accordion-8-header\" class=\"tenup-uikit-container-7 icon-position-right wp-block-tenup-accordion-header is-layout-flex wp-container-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-38d5429e wp-block-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-flex\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"context.isExpanded\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\">\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__title\">\n\t\tWhat if I&#8217;ve lost my Employer PAYE Reference Number?\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__icon\">\n\t\t<svg class=\"icon--collapsed\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M8 .929V15.07M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<svg class=\"icon--expanded\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t<\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"tenup-accordion-8-header\" id=\"tenup-accordion-8-content\" inert class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--aria-hidden=\"!context.isExpanded\" data-wp-bind--aria-labelledby=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!context.isExpanded\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content__body\">\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve lost your PAYE Number, check any PAYE-related correspondence you&#8217;ve had with HMRC, as well as P45s or P60s for your previous or current employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can&#8217;t find any record of it? This may mean you&#8217;re not registered as an employer. If this is the case and you already employ someone, or intend to, you&#8217;ll need to register with HMRC immediately.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;isExpanded&quot;:false,&quot;accordionId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-10&quot;,&quot;contentId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-10-content&quot;,&quot;headerId&quot;:&quot;tenup-accordion-10-header&quot;}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setupListeners\">\n\t\n\n<button aria-controls=\"tenup-accordion-10-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tenup-accordion-10-header\" class=\"tenup-uikit-container-9 icon-position-right wp-block-tenup-accordion-header is-layout-flex wp-container-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-38d5429e wp-block-tenup-accordion-header-is-layout-flex\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--aria-controls=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"context.isExpanded\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\">\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__title\">\n\t\tWhy do I need to give my Employer PAYE Reference Number to my insurer?\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-item__icon\">\n\t\t<svg class=\"icon--collapsed\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M8 .929V15.07M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t\t<svg class=\"icon--expanded\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"square\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M15.071 8H.93\"\/><\/svg>\t<\/span>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"tenup-accordion-10-header\" id=\"tenup-accordion-10-content\" inert class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content\" data-wp-interactive=\"tenup\/accordion\" data-wp-bind--aria-hidden=\"!context.isExpanded\" data-wp-bind--aria-labelledby=\"context.headerId\" data-wp-bind--id=\"context.contentId\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!context.isExpanded\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tenup-accordion-content__body\">\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Employers&#8217; Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) has set up a database to help employees identify their past employers&#8217; insurers, making it easier to claim. You\u2019ll therefore need your ERN when you buy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/business-insurance\/employers-liability-insurance\/\">Employers&#8217; Liability insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is so you can identify which firms an employee has worked for in case they make a claim against you. Say they develop mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos and claim you\u2019re responsible. Using ERNs, it\u2019s easy to see where else that employee has worked (and, for the sake of this example, find out they were only exposed to asbestos in their previous job).<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tell us your Employer PAYE Reference Number or let us know you&#8217;re exempt Because you have chosen Employers&#8217; Liability cover we need you to tell us your Employer PAYE Reference Number or confirm that you are exempt It is important that you provide your Employer PAYE Reference Number to us so we can identify which [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":5258,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_faq_schema":"","sb_phone":"","sb_header_url_text":"","sb_secondary_logo":0,"sb_secondary_logo_url":"","sb_show_primary_cta":true,"sb_primary_cta_text":"","sb_primary_cta_url":"","sb_show_secondary_cta":true,"sb_secondary_cta_text":"","sb_secondary_cta_url":"","sb_show_contact_cta":true,"sb_contact_cta_id":"","sb_primary_cta_id":"","sb_secondary_cta_id":"","sb_no_sticky_header":false,"sb_show_last_updated_date":"","sb_enable_replacement_text":false,"sb_replacement_h1":"","_sb_hreflang_stale":false,"footnotes":""},"hidden-category":[],"import-page-type":[],"coauthors":[208],"class_list":["post-1709","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>PAYE number | ERN | ELTO - Simply Business UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As an employer insured via Simply Business, you need to know your PAYE (or Employer Reference) Number and provide it to ELTO via our web form.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"PAYE number | ERN | ELTO - Simply Business UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As an employer insured via Simply Business, you need to know your PAYE (or Employer Reference) Number and provide it to ELTO via our web form.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simply Business UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-23T13:43:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/sb-opengraph.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Tell us your Employer PAYE Reference Number or let us know you&#039;re exempt\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"rishvashah\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/\",\"name\":\"PAYE number | ERN | ELTO - Simply Business UK\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-03T14:43:49+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-23T13:43:11+00:00\",\"description\":\"As an employer insured via Simply Business, you need to know your PAYE (or Employer Reference) Number and provide it to ELTO via our web form.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/elto\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Support\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/support\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Tell us your Employer PAYE Reference Number or let us know you&#8217;re exempt\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/\",\"name\":\"Simply Business UK\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@context\":\"http:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is an Employer PAYE Reference Number (or ERN)?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Every business that registers with HMRC as an employer receives an Employer PAYE Reference Number (or PAYE number). It\u2019s a unique set of letters and numbers used by the taxman to identify your business.    Your PAYE number is made up of two parts: a three-digit HMRC office number, and a reference number unique to your business. It\u2019ll usually look something like 123\/A45678 or 123\/AB45678 (although there can be exceptions).    It's not the same as your ten-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number or your accounts office reference number, which is made up of 13 characters, in the format 123PA12345678. The first three digits will be the same as your PAYE number.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where can I find my Employer PAYE Reference Number?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"HMRC sends out an employer's welcome pack when you register with them, including a yellow PAYE Payslip booklet. Your number is on this booklet.    If you've only just registered, remember it can take up to 14 days to receive your number.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When do I need an Employer PAYE Reference Number?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"HMRC needs your ERN in a number of different circumstances. Perhaps most importantly, you\u2019ll need it when you come to complete your end-of-year PAYE return. An invalid or missing ERN is one of the most common reasons end-of-year returns are rejected \u2013 you\u2019ll need to know this number to meet your statutory reporting obligations.    It\u2019s also likely that you\u2019ll be asked for your ERN by an employee at some point. Employees often need their Employer\u2019s PAYE reference number when applying for tax credits (or Universal Credit), applying for Student Loans, and a few other tasks. You may also be required to include it on payslips.    It's important to have your ERN to hand when you buy Employers\u2019 Liability insurance. 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