Fortnightly Payroll Services
Paying staff every two weeks suits hourly and shift workers, but it doubles the work of a monthly payroll. We run fortnightly payrolls for UK employers: you send hours and changes, and we send back payslips, file with HMRC and run your workplace pension, every other week.
- Since 2011
- 500+ clients
- 5.0 on Google
- From £2.50 + VAT per payslip
- Cyber Essentials certified
What our fortnightly payroll service includes
Every two weeks you tell us about hours, starters, leavers and changes. We do the rest.
Every pay run
- Pay worked out from your hours, rates, overtime and holiday pay
- PAYE tax, National Insurance and student loans on fortnightly thresholds
- Payslips for every employee
- RTI Full Payment Submission sent to HMRC on or before payday
- A payment report and BACS file so you pay staff from your own bank
Around each pay run
- Pension assessments and contributions every pay run
- Statutory sick, maternity, paternity and other statutory pay
- Starters and leavers, including P45s
- Attachments of earnings and court orders
- Year-end, P60s and the extra payday in 27-payday years
Why employers pay fortnightly
- Staff prefer it. Hourly and shift workers often find two-weekly pay easier to budget with than waiting a month.
- Hours are fresher. Timesheets cover two weeks, so overtime and missed shifts are easier to check.
- Less admin than weekly. Half as many pay runs as a weekly payroll, while still paying people regularly.
Fortnightly payroll is common in care homes, domiciliary care, hospitality, cleaning companies and retail.
What makes fortnightly payroll tricky
- 26 or 27 paydays a year. Most tax years have 26 fortnightly paydays, but some have 27. HMRC calls the extra one week 54, and it needs special tax treatment. We plan for it so nobody is overtaxed.
- Fortnightly thresholds. Tax, National Insurance, student loan and pension thresholds are all applied per fortnight. For 2026/27, for example, employee NI starts at £484 a fortnight and employer NI at £192.
- Minimum wage checks. Pay is checked against the National Minimum Wage over each pay reference period, which matters with variable hours.
- Holiday pay for irregular hours. Employees with variable hours need holiday pay worked out correctly, and it’s an area where mistakes are common.
How much does fortnightly payroll cost?
We charge per payslip, so you only pay for the people you pay. There’s no setup fee, no charge to move your payroll across and no contract.
| Pay frequency | Price per payslip |
|---|---|
| Fortnightly | from £2.50 + VAT |
| Weekly | from £2.50 + VAT |
| Four-weekly and monthly | from £3.50 + VAT |
- No setup fee
- No contracts
- Auto-enrolment included
Example
A business paying 20 people fortnightly pays from £50 + VAT per pay run. That covers payslips, RTI submissions, auto-enrolment, starters and leavers, P60s and the BACS file.
See full payroll pricing, or ask us for a written quote.
Moving your fortnightly payroll to us
Quote
Tell us how many people you pay and how often. We send a written price.
Your details
Send your PAYE references, employee details, year-to-date figures and pension scheme details. We get authorised with HMRC as your agent.
Set up
We aim to set up your payroll within 24 hours and check the year-to-date figures against what has already been filed.
First pay run
You send hours and changes. We send a summary for you to approve before anything is filed.
You can switch part way through the tax year. Read how to switch payroll provider without disruption or see how payroll outsourcing works with us.
Security and compliance
Payroll data is some of the most sensitive information a business holds. This is how we look after it.
- Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office since 2011, registration number Z2786276
- Professional indemnity and cyber insurance with Hiscox
- Written UK GDPR data processing terms that set out how we handle your employees’ data
- 2-step verification on every system we use
- Payslips delivered to your employees online and securely
- Cyber Essentials certified (IASME, October 2026)
What our clients say
Rated 5.0 on Google from 16 reviews.
“Excellent professional service always able to speak to somebody when required.”
“We have used Payroll Service for over 10 years… Nothing is too much trouble.”
“Rhys and the team provide an absolutely exceptional service…”
Fortnightly payroll FAQs
Can you run a fortnightly payroll for my business?
Yes. We run weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly and monthly payrolls, and we can run more than one frequency for the same employer.
How much does fortnightly payroll cost?
From £2.50 + VAT per payslip, with no setup fee and no contract. We confirm your price in a written quote.
What happens in a year with 27 fortnightly paydays?
Some tax years have a 27th fortnightly payday, which HMRC calls week 54. That payment is taxed on a non-cumulative basis so employees are not overtaxed. We spot it in advance and tell you what to expect.
When do you need the hours?
We agree a cut-off with you that leaves time to process, let you check the summary and file with HMRC before payday. Most clients send hours a few working days before payday.
Can I change from monthly to fortnightly pay?
Yes. Check your employment contracts first and give staff notice. We can then move the payroll to fortnightly and handle the changeover pay period.
Do you pay my staff?
No. We send you a payment report and a BACS file, and you pay your staff from your own bank account, so you stay in control of your money.
Get a quote for fortnightly payroll
Tell us how many people you pay and how often, and we will send a written price.
Or email sales@payrollserviceuk.co.uk