Submissions Common Error Messages

Error 1046 - Authentication Failure. The supplied user credentials failed validation for the requested service.

When you make an RTI submission, HMRC verifies your Gateway Sender ID, Password, PAYE Employer Reference, and Accounts Office Reference against their records. An Error 1046 occurs when any of these details do not match the records HMRC has on file, indicating an authentication issue. You can view your credentials by navigating to 'HMRC' on the left side menu.

Incorrect User Credentials in FreePayroll: This is often the most common cause of Error 1046. To verify that the Sender ID and password you've entered are correct, try logging into the HMRC Online services website directly with these credentials copied from FreePayroll.

Password Length Limitation: When inputting your password on the HMRC Online services website, only the first 12 digits are accepted. If your password exceeds this length, ensure only the first 12 digits are used in FreePayroll.

Typos in ID and Password: Common mistakes include confusing the number 1 with a lowercase L or an uppercase I, or mistaking the number 0 for the letter O.

Incorrect PAYE Reference Entries: Double-check your entries for accuracy. For example, ensure you haven’t mistyped '123/AB543' as '123/AB534'.

Delay in Activation of New Credentials: If you have recently set up a new Sender ID and password, be aware it might take up to two weeks for these credentials to be recognized across all HMRC systems.

If none of the above work please check this article for troubleshooting Issues with HRMC credentials.

If you continue to receive this error, you will need to contact the HMRC Employer Helpline at 0300 200 3200 for further assistance.

Error 2026

Description: The submission date is outside the acceptable range for the tax year.

Solution:
- Ensure that the payroll submission date is within the correct tax year. If you've made a late submission, ensure you indicate the correct reason for the late filing in your payroll software.

Error 4085

Description: A character that HMRC does not accept, such as ~ @ # $ % ^ & *, is in the employee’s details, or a required field is missing from your payroll data.

Solution:
- Check the employee’s details in your payroll software and remove any unsupported characters from fields such as the name or address.
- Ensure all required fields, such as National Insurance number and Date of Birth, are filled in correctly.

Error 7007

Description: Submission failed because of a late payment reason not being provided.

Solution:
- If you are submitting payroll after the payment date, ensure you have flagged the submission as late and selected the appropriate reason for the delay in your payroll software.

Error 7801 - Accounts Office reference or Employer PAYE reference is incorrect

This error typically arises when the details provided do not match HMRC's records, possibly due to a typo, outdated information, or incorrect entry. To resolve this error, you should first double-check the references for accuracy against official documents or previous correspondence with HMRC to ensure they are entered correctly. If the problem continue even after verification, it is advisable to contact HMRC directly on tel 0300 200 3200 for further assistance.

Error 7802 - You have not been invited to submit this type of submission.

This error indicates that HMRC is not expecting RTI (Real Time Information) returns for this employer. To address this, you should first verify that you have entered the correct HMRC references. You can do this by navigating to 'HMRC' on the left side menu and checking the 'PAYE reference' and 'Accounts Office Reference' fields. If these references are correct and you continue to receive this error, you will need to contact the HMRC Employer Helpline at 0300 200 3200 for further assistance. Only HMRC can resolve issues related to submission invitations, as they control the acceptance of RTI returns.

Error 7806 - Your submission cannot be accepted because it doesn't fall within the eligible filing period

This error usually indicates that HMRC is not set up to receive Real Time Information (RTI) returns for the specified employer during the period in question. This could be because the PAYE scheme was considered inactive at the time—either before it was officially started or after it had ceased. To resolve this issue, you should directly contact the HMRC Employer Helpline at 0300 200 3200. Please note that during peak times, you might encounter a recorded message suggesting you contact your software supplier regarding error codes. However, it's important to understand that only HMRC can provide definitive answers and solutions as to why they are not expecting RTI returns for this PAYE scheme.

Error 7815 - This submission cannot be accepted as this employer scheme has been cancelled

According to HMRC's guidance on this issue, you will need external assistance to resolve this matter. Please call the HMRC Employer Helpline at 0300 200 3200 and explain the specific error message you received. This direct communication is essential as only HMRC can assist with issues related to a canceled employer scheme.

Error 9001

Description: Incorrect or missing employee personal details (e.g., name, date of birth, gender).

Solution:
- Double-check the personal details of each employee in your payroll system.
- Ensure all fields are filled out accurately and that there are no formatting errors.

General Advice:

If you are unsure how to resolve an error or if it persists after troubleshooting, contact HMRC’s Employer Helpline at 0300 200 3200 for further assistance.

Updated on: 28/10/2024