How to check your PAYE Code

Is my PAYE coding correct? How does HMRC work out tax codes? Why do people ignore their P2 code change notices? Follow the links to expert guidance.

This is a freeview 'At a glance' guide to how to check your PAYE code.

A majority of taxpayers who are under PAYE do nothing when they receive a PAYE coding notice. 

• HMRC will advise PAYE code changes using a form P2 notice.
• If your PAYE code is wrong, you pay the wrong amount of tax. Your employer cannot change your code number until they receive notification from HMRC so if your code is wrong you must let HMRC know.
• HMRC issues a P800 tax calculation at the end of the year if you are not within Self Assessment (i.e. you have not been sent a notice to file a Self Assessment return).
• If you have an underpayment of tax calculated via a P800 notice you cannot appeal it. You should have checked your tax code. 

HMRC issues some 20 million PAYE codes to employees and pensioners each year. Using data collected under PAYE Real Time Information Reporting by employers, HMRC should be capable of generating the correct code for you.

HMRC have launched an Interactive tool to help taxpayers check and understand their tax code.

The top causes of incorrect PAYE codes, according to queries to our Virtual Tax Partner service, are:

• You have multiple jobs or pensions and HMRC has not restricted your personal allowances and the code is only given for one job/pension. Check your code.
  • Have you told HMRC you have more than one job?
  • Do your employers know that you have another job? They might have started you on the wrong code if you did not complete a starter's form fully. 
• You have taxable employment benefits that have not been adjusted in your PAYE code. 
  • Check your P11D and inform HMRC as soon as you spot a problem.
• You have had employment expenses in a previous year and HMRC continues to adjust your PAYE code as if you incur those costs in the current year when you don't.
  • Check your code and inform HMRC.
• HMRC has adjusted your code for pension contributions or gift aid and you no longer make those payments.
  • Check your code and inform HMRC.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has issued a guidance note to help taxpayers to check their code is correct.

The LITRG guide includes sections on:

• What makes up a tax code
• Special tax codes and letters used
• How to check your coding notice
• Examples

Kelly Sizer, Senior Technical Manager for LITRG, said: 

“You should always check what tax is being taken off your income and query it with HMRC if you do not understand or think it might be wrong.” 

Useful guides on this topic

What is the 2024/25 PAYE tax code?
What do the different types of tax code suffixes mean?

External links

HMRC tool: Check what you tax code means

The LITRG PAYE Coding guide

What is LITRG? 

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is an initiative of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) to give a voice to the unrepresented. Since 1998 LITRG has been working to improve the policy and processes of the tax regime, tax credits and associated welfare systems for the benefit of those on low incomes. 

The CIOT is a charity and the leading professional body in the United Kingdom concerned solely with taxation. The CIOT’s primary purpose is to promote education and study of the administration and practice of taxation. One of the key aims is to achieve a better, more efficient, tax system for all affected by it – taxpayers, advisers and the authorities. The CIOT’s 17,000 members have the practicing title of ‘Chartered Tax Adviser’ and the designatory letters ‘CTA’.