Tax Code Checker 2026/27
Check your tax deductions are accurate for your tax code
Using the calculator to check your tax code
We know tax codes can be quite confusing to look at – especially if you’ve never really paid any attention to yours before. This calculator will explain what your tax coding means, and how it affects your tax-free allowance and salary. You’ll just need to enter your:
- Current tax code
- Annual salary
You can find your current tax code on a recent payslip, your P60, a P45, or a PAYE coding notice from HMRC – just make sure it’s your most recent one as they can change frequently.
Remember, this is an estimate! Tax codes can reflect all kinds of individual circumstances, so if something doesn’t look right it’s worth checking with HMRC or speaking to your accountant. Read our guide to tax codes to learn more.
What is a tax code and why does it matter?
Your tax code might look like a random jumble of numbers and letters on your payslip, but HMRC use this coding to tell your employer how much Income Tax to deduct from your pay each month – so you could end up paying too much or too little tax if it’s wrong. It’s reviewed every year, and HMRC will usually send you a PAYE coding notice if it changes.
The number in your tax code refers to the amount of tax-free income you’re entitled to in the year (which is typically linked to your Personal Allowance). The letters tell HMRC and your employer more about your situation – for example, whether you have more than one job, where you live, or whether your allowance has been adjusted for some reason.
FAQs
You can find your tax code on documents such as your payslip, P60, P45, PAYE coding notice, or within your HMRC App. Just make sure you’re using a document from the current tax year as your code may have changed.
The number usually represents your tax-free Personal Allowance for the year, but with the last digit removed. A tax code of 1257L, for example, means you’re entitled to £12,570 of tax-free income.
The letters give HMRC and your employer more information about your circumstances. L is the most common and means you’re entitled to the standard Personal Allowance. Other letters can indicate things like having multiple jobs, being a Scottish or Welsh taxpayer, or having an adjusted allowance.
Don’t panic! It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been paying the wrong amount of tax. Tax codes can reflect lots of individual circumstances which our general checker can’t account for. Contact HMRC directly, or speak to your accountant or employer if you’re concerned, so they can check your position properly.
HMRC updates tax codes when your circumstances change. For example, if you start or stop receiving a taxable benefit from your employer, if your income changes, or if you owe tax from a previous year that needs to be collected through your pay.
HMRC will usually refund any overpayments from your tax code automatically at the end of the tax year, but it’s well worth checking your Personal Tax Account to make sure. You can also claim overpayments through Self Assessment if you use it, or using HMRC’s online service.
If you’ve underpaid, HMRC may collect it through an adjustment to your tax code the following year. Either way, it’s worth speaking to an accountant or your employer if you’re unsure.
Looking for more information?
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