Payslip Tax Code Checker
Check what your tax code means and whether you might be paying the wrong tax.
Estimated Tax on Standard 1257L
£4,486
Estimated Tax on Your Code
£4,486
Matches standard code
£0
How this was calculated
Compares the tax due under the standard 2026/27 Personal Allowance (£12,570, code 1257L) against the allowance implied by your entered tax code, using current UK income tax bands. This is an estimate for one job only and doesn't account for Scottish tax bands, student loans, or multiple incomes. Always confirm with HMRC or your payslip provider. Last verified: 2026.
How to Read Your Tax Code
Most UK tax codes follow a pattern: a number followed by a letter, like 1257L. The number, multiplied by 10, is roughly your tax-free Personal Allowance, so 1257L means £12,570 tax-free before 20% (or higher) tax applies to the rest. The letter tells HMRC how to apply that allowance.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1257L | Standard code for most employees with one job. |
| BR | All income taxed at 20% flat, no allowance, common on second jobs. |
| K475 | Negative allowance, you owe tax from a previous year or have taxable benefits. |
| 0T | No allowance applied, often when starting a job without a P45. |
| S1257L / C1257L | Scottish (S) or Welsh (C) tax bands apply instead of standard UK bands. |
Why Your Tax Code Might Be Wrong
Tax codes go wrong more often than you'd think, common causes include starting a new job before your P45 is processed, having multiple jobs where the second correctly gets a BR code but the first is miscalculated, or HMRC not updating your code after a change in company benefits (like a company car). If your code looks unusual, it's worth checking directly with HMRC.
What to Do If You've Overpaid
If this checker suggests you may be on the wrong code, contact HMRC directly (via your personal tax account or by phone) rather than just your employer, only HMRC can issue a corrected code. If you've overpaid tax in a previous year, HMRC will typically refund you automatically, or you can claim directly through your Personal Tax Account.
Worked Example: Checking a 1257L Code
Suppose you earn £30,000 a year in England with a 1257L code. Your tax-free allowance is £12,570, which leaves £17,430 taxable. At 20% that is £3,486 of income tax over the year, or £290.50 a month. If your payslip shows noticeably more than that, your code is worth checking.
Now imagine you start a second job paying £500 a month on a BR code. All of it is taxed at 20%, so £100 comes off each month. That is correct if your allowance is already used up by your main job. It is wrong if your main job pays less than the allowance, because you would be paying tax you do not owe and should ask HMRC to move part of the allowance across.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I on an emergency tax code?
Emergency codes such as 0T or BR are used when your employer does not have your details, often at the start of a new job. HMRC normally corrects it within a pay period or two once your information is received.
How long does a refund take?
Once HMRC issues a corrected code, your employer usually refunds the overpaid tax through your next payslip. A claim for a past year can take a few weeks to process.
Will my tax code change each year?
It can. HMRC updates codes for changes in benefits, pensions and income. The standard 1257L allowance has been frozen, so many people see the same code from year to year.
Can I check my code online?
Yes. Sign in to your personal tax account on GOV.UK to view your current tax code, see how it was worked out and report any changes.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This tool provides an estimate based on standard UK tax bands for one job and does not account for Scottish or Welsh bands, multiple incomes, or student loan deductions. It is not tax advice, always confirm your exact position with HMRC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tax code?
A tax code tells your employer how much tax-free income (Personal Allowance) to give you before deducting income tax. The standard code for 2026/27 is 1257L, meaning a £12,570 tax-free allowance.
What does "BR" mean on my tax code?
"BR" means Basic Rate, all your income from that job is taxed at 20% with no tax-free allowance applied. This is common on second jobs but can also be a mistake worth checking with HMRC.
What does a "K" code mean?
A K code means you have a negative allowance, usually because you owe tax from a previous year or receive taxable benefits worth more than your Personal Allowance. More tax is deducted to recover this.
Key Terms Explained
Plain-English definitions of the financial terms used in this calculator.
- Gross vs Net Income
- Gross income is your pay before deductions; net (take-home) pay is what lands in your bank after income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan repayments.
- Personal Allowance
- The amount of income you can earn each tax year before paying income tax, £12,570 for most people in the UK. It is reduced by £1 for every £2 earned above £100,000.
- National Insurance (NI)
- A UK payroll contribution that funds the State Pension and some benefits. Employees pay Class 1 NI on earnings above the primary threshold, deducted automatically through PAYE.
- Tax Band
- The income ranges taxed at different rates. In England, Wales and NI: basic rate 20%, higher rate 40% (above £50,270) and additional rate 45% (above £125,140). Scotland uses its own bands.
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Not Financial Advice: This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and do not constitute financial advice, recommendations, or regulated advice. We are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Always consult a qualified financial adviser for personalised advice. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change. Tax laws and rates may change. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
