Tax Code Checker 2026/27
Enter your tax code and annual salary to check if you're paying the right amount of tax. Understand what the letters and numbers mean.
🔍 Decode Your Tax Code
📊 Result
Common UK Tax Codes Explained
| Code | Meaning | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| 1257L | Standard Personal Allowance (£12,570) | Most employees with one job |
| BR | Basic Rate (20% on all income) | Second jobs, pensions |
| D0 | Higher Rate (40% on all income) | Second jobs for higher earners |
| NT | No Tax | Non-residents, special cases |
| K1257 | Negative allowance — tax owed | Those with untaxed income exceeding allowance |
| 0T | No Personal Allowance | When allowance is used elsewhere |
| M | Marriage Allowance recipient | Received 10% of partner's allowance |
| N | Marriage Allowance transferrer | Gave 10% of allowance to partner |
| S | Scottish tax rates | Scottish taxpayers |
| C | Welsh tax rates | Welsh taxpayers |
Why Is My Tax Code Wrong?
Your tax code can be wrong for several reasons. Here are the most common:
- Changed jobs: Your new employer may use an emergency tax code (W1/M1) until HMRC sends the correct one.
- Company benefits: A company car, private medical insurance, or other benefits reduce your tax-free allowance.
- State Pension: If you receive State Pension and work, your code may be adjusted to collect tax on both.
- Under/overpaid last year: HMRC may adjust your current code to collect underpaid tax or refund overpaid tax.
- Multiple incomes: Having a pension and a job, or two jobs, can split your Personal Allowance incorrectly.
What to do: Check your latest tax code notice (P2) from HMRC. If it looks wrong, call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 or use your personal tax account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the number in my tax code mean?
The number is your tax-free Personal Allowance divided by 10. For example, 1257 means £12,570 tax-free. If you have deductions (company benefits, unpaid tax), these are subtracted from your allowance, giving a lower number.
How do I know if I'm on the wrong tax code?
Use our calculator above to compare your code against your salary. If the result says "Check needed", you may be underpaying or overpaying. Also watch for: emergency codes lasting more than a month, a K code when you don't have untaxed income, or a BR code on your only job.
What is an emergency tax code?
Emergency codes (ending W1 or M1, or starting with X) mean your employer is taxing you on a "week 1/month 1" basis without your full tax history. You'll usually pay more tax initially, but it corrects once HMRC sends your proper code. It should not last more than 1-2 months.