We have just set up a small business but failed to register with HMRC in time for the first pay day (should have been 24th July). Not wanting our two employees to miss out on their wages we paid them hoping that we'd make the books right in retrospect once linked with HMRC.

By mistake we paid them slightly too much, error in calculating when deducting the tax.

Now we are waiting for the HMRC registration and this may not come through until August.

I'm not sure how to make the books right now.

One employee started on 1st July and the other started on 15th July.

Do I get them to transfer the money we paid them back and then do a payroll in August?

Thanks for the advice

How much is "slightly too much" ?
Could simply write it off as a bonus..

Hmm, quite a bit too much. We also paid the one who started on 15th for a whole month which I don't think we should have.

Such a stupid mistake.

The employees are not worried, they no we will pay them the right about and all will be well, it's the making he books right that I 'm worried about

I suggest a call to HMRC to ask for advice. It IS their payroll system, after all.