--- title: "How to Check Your Tax Code: 2026/27 Step-by-Step Guide" description: "**Updated for 2026/27.** Check your PAYE tax code whenever you start a job, receive a new code notice, gain or lose a benefit, or see an unexpected change in net pay. A quick check can prevent an error from continuing…" url: "https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/knowledge-bank/how-can-i-check-my-tax-code/" updated: "2026-08-12" category: Income Tax --- # How to Check Your Tax Code: 2026/27 Step-by-Step Guide **Updated for 2026/27.** Check your PAYE tax code whenever you start a job, receive a new code notice, gain or lose a benefit, or see an unexpected change in net pay. A quick check can prevent an error from continuing through the tax year. ## Where to find your tax code - Your latest payslip - Your P45 after leaving a job - Your P60 after the tax year - An HMRC PAYE Coding Notice - Your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app - A pension payslip or provider statement Each employment or pension can have a different code, so check every source rather than assuming one code applies to all income. ## Step 1: use HMRC's online service Sign in to the Personal Tax Account or HMRC app and open the Income Tax or PAYE section for the current year. Confirm that all employers and pensions are shown, old sources are marked as ended, and estimated annual pay is realistic. Open the code breakdown to see each allowance and deduction. ## Step 2: understand the code A common code is 1257L, usually reflecting the £12,570 standard Personal Allowance. The number broadly represents tax-free pay divided by 10. Letters and prefixes change how payroll applies it: - L usually indicates the standard allowance - BR, D0 and D1 tax all pay from that source at basic, higher or additional rate - 0T gives no allowance at that source - K means deductions exceed allowances - S identifies a Scottish code and C a Welsh code - W1, M1 or X means non-cumulative emergency treatment ## Step 3: review HMRC's income estimates HMRC may estimate annual salary, pension, savings interest, property income or benefits. Compare these figures with current evidence. A large bonus from last year, duplicate employment or benefit that has ended can distort the code. Update estimates where the service permits or contact HMRC. ## Step 4: check allowances and deductions Review the Personal Allowance, Marriage Allowance, job expenses, pension relief and any other allowances. Then inspect deductions for company benefits, unpaid tax, State Pension or other untaxed income. Do not remove a correct adjustment merely because it lowers the code. ## Step 5: check multiple jobs and pensions The Personal Allowance is normally allocated across sources, often mainly to the highest income. A secondary source may correctly use BR, D0 or another code. Add expected income from every source to see whether the overall deduction makes sense. Duplicated allowances can create a later tax bill. ## Step 6: compare year-to-date figures On the payslip, check gross pay, taxable pay, tax deducted and cumulative totals. Compare them with the previous payslip and P45. A correct code can still produce a surprising deduction when a cumulative change catches up tax from earlier months. ## Starting a job without a P45 Complete the starter declaration accurately. If the employer lacks previous pay information, it may use an emergency or non-cumulative code until HMRC updates the record. Give the employer the P45 if it arrives later and check the next payroll. ## Benefits and expenses Company cars, medical insurance and other benefits may reduce the code unless payrolled. Flat-rate or actual employment expenses can increase available allowances where eligible. Confirm that the amounts relate to the correct employment and year. ## High-income checks The standard Personal Allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income above £100,000 and is normally lost at £125,140. HMRC's estimate may not capture pension contributions, Gift Aid, bonuses or investment income accurately. High earners often need a year-end calculation or Self Assessment even where PAYE is operating. ## Example Maya leaves Job A and starts Job B, but HMRC's account shows both as continuing. Her allowance remains attached to Job A and Job B uses BR. She marks Job A as ended, updates expected pay and HMRC issues a revised cumulative code to Job B. A later payslip may automatically refund some overpaid tax. ## What to do if something is wrong 1. Update employer, pension, income or benefit details online where possible. 2. Contact HMRC if the code breakdown cannot be corrected online. 3. Ask the employer to correct payroll data such as start date or pay—not to invent a code. 4. Check the next payslip after HMRC issues the replacement. 5. Keep code notices, payslips and screenshots of changes. ## After the tax year Compare P60 and P45 figures with HMRC's P800 or Simple Assessment where issued. If Self Assessment is required, report complete income and tax deducted. Do not assume PAYE settled rent, self-employment, capital gains, foreign income or other untaxed amounts. Use HMRC's official [current-year Income Tax checker](https://www.gov.uk/check-income-tax-current-year) and [tax-code guidance](https://www.gov.uk/tax-codes). Our [2026/27 tax code guide](https://www.accountingfirms.co.uk/knowledge-bank/what-is-a-tax-code-and-how-is-it-determined/) explains each common code. ## Frequently asked questions ### Should two jobs have the same code? Not necessarily. HMRC allocates allowances between sources, and a secondary job may have BR, D0 or another code. ### How quickly will a new code appear? Timing depends on HMRC and payroll cut-offs. Check the next available payslip and retain the notice. ### Can a payslip show the right code but wrong tax? Yes. Incorrect pay, previous-pay data or payroll settings can still affect the calculation. *This guide is general information. Confirm your code against HMRC's live record.*