Is your tax code right, or is HMRC quietly overtaxing you?

Sound familiar?

• “My tax code changed and nobody told me why.”
• “I've got a BR code and I don't know if that's right.”
• “I had two jobs last year. I think HMRC's confused.”
• “I've been on an emergency code for months.”

What this tool does

Decodes your current tax code into plain English, what's included, what's been deducted, and whether the situation in front of you is likely right or wrong. It flags when you should phone HMRC to challenge it.

What the law actually says

• •PAYE tax codes are issued by HMRC based on what they think your total year's tax position looks like. They are often wrong, especially for people with multiple jobs, expenses or recent self-employment.
• •You have a statutory right to challenge a tax code, and if you've been over-deducted you can claim back up to four tax years.
• •Emergency codes (1257L W1/M1) are temporary. If you've been on one for more than a month or two, HMRC has missed something.

What to do next

• If your code looks wrong: Getting HMRC to fix a wrong tax code, phone script included
• If you've been overtaxed: Claiming a tax rebate for up to four years back
• If you've had an HMRC letter: HMRC Letter Decoder