How do I check my tax code?
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In short: Look at your payslip, P60, P45 or your HMRC Personal Tax Account. The default for 2026/27 is 1257L.
Content updated:
Your tax code tells your employer or pension provider how much tax-free income you are entitled to in the current tax year. The standard code for 2026/27 is 1257L, which corresponds to the £12,570 Personal Allowance.
Check your code on your payslip, your P60 (the year-end summary), a P45 from a previous job, or in your HMRC Personal Tax Account at gov.uk. The Personal Tax Account also shows estimated tax for the year.
If you think your code is wrong, contact HMRC directly — common reasons for an unusual code include a company car, untaxed savings interest, employer benefits, or under/overpaid tax from previous years.
Primary source: gov.uk/tax-codes
Part of our Benefits & tax
This quick answer sits inside our wider benefits & tax hub — with sub-guides, calculators and step-by-step explainers on the same topic.
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