---
title: "How do I create a PAYE scheme and assign a payroll to it?"
slug: "how-do-i-create-a-paye-scheme-and-assign-a-payroll-to-it"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:18:41Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:18:41Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-create-a-paye-scheme-and-assign-a-payroll-to-it"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I create a PAYE scheme and assign a payroll to it?

Once you have [created an employer](/iq/docs/how-do-i-create-an-employer), you are ready to add a PAYE scheme and assign a payroll to it.

## To create a PAYE scheme

1. Within Cintra iQ, go to Payroll > Payroll Setup > Employer Setup.
2. Select an employer, then click **Open**.
3. Click the **PAYE & Payrolls** tab.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/f5EqwExHUSYaTW8nc9ZwGcmeaGhLbHVwPg.png)

Employer PAYE & Payrolls tab
4. Within the **PAYE Schemes** section, any existing schemes will be displayed (double-click to edit). To create a new scheme, right-click and select **New**.
5. Within the **New PAYE scheme** window, you must enter the following information:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/PCxqC7zaHnSXpiuU5lyHVoo9Zp-bRMNUaw.png)

New PAYE scheme screen
  - **PAYE Scheme is for test purposes only**: Tick this box if you do NOT want to send this scheme's details to HMRC.
  - **HMRC Accounts Office Reference**: Enter the 13 character reference number. The 4th character should be either P or X.
  - **HMRC Office Area Number**: This field is filled in automatically, based on the reference number above.
  - **HMRC Office Name**: Enter the name, if known.
  - **Employer PAYE reference**: The first section is populated with the **HMRC Office Area Number**. Enter the remaining characters into the second section.
  - **HMRC Bank Account**: Select the appropriate HMRC office or *Cheque/Other*.
  - For more information, see [What are the employer details?](/iq/docs/what-are-employer-details)
6. Click **OK** to save.

Once you have created a **PAYE Scheme**, you can attach payroll to it and choose which users will have access.

## To create and assign a new payroll

1. Within Cintra iQ, go to Payroll > Payroll Setup > Employer Setup.
2. Select an employer, then click **Open**.
3. Click the **PAYE & Payrolls** tab.
4. Select a **PAYE Scheme**.
5. Right-click: **New** in the **Payrolls associated with the selected PAYE Scheme** pane. The **New Payroll** form appears.
6. Enter the **Payroll Name** and its details.
7. Select the desired users who will have access to the **Payroll**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064176.png)
8. Click the **Next** button. A message appears stating: **If the new employee records for this payroll are to be restricted from particular users within the navigator, please ensure the security profiles cater for this. Cintra HR& Payroll Services is not responsible for any data breach resulting from incorrect security settings within CintraIQ.** For more information about setting up user security, see [What is Security with Cintra iQ?](/iq/docs/guide-security-in-cintra-iq)
9. Click the **OK** button. The **Payroll** window appears.
10. Go through the tabs and enter the necessary information.
11. Click the **OK** button to save. The payroll is now associated to the scheme.