Tax Articles
Inland Revenue Tax Codes
Everyone that works in the UK is given a tax code. Your tax code determines how much tax your employer deducts from your pay and consequently how much pay you tax home.
Your tax code is dertmined by your allowances, deductions and benefits such as company cars. If you company does not know what tax code to put you on you may be placed on an emergency tax code and as a result overpay tax.
Your tax code is normally made up of some number and a letter. If you take the number within your tax code and multiple this by 10, you can calculate your tax free allowance. This is the amoutn that you can earn before paying any tax.
The Letter in your Tax Code
The letter in your tax code corresponds to how your allowance should be adjusted following any changes announced by the Inland Revenue or the chancellor. Below is a list of some of the common letter within tax codes and what they mean:
| Letter in Tax Code | Meaning |
| L | For people entitled to the basic Personal Allowance – 647L for the 2010-11 tax year. |
| P | For people aged 65 to 74 and eligible for the full Personal Allowance |
| Y | For people aged 75 or over and eligible for the full Personal Allowance |
| T | If the Inland Revenue need to review any other items in your tax code, for example the income-related reduction to the Personal Allowance.
Tax code ‘0T’ means your allowances have been used up or reduced to nil and your income is taxed at the relevant tax rates. |
| K | This tax code is used when your total allowances are less than your total ‘deductions’. |
Sometimes you may not be given a normal tax code, one that does not have a number. This could be because you have two jobs or your employer was not given a P45.
| Tax Code | Meaning |
| BR | This tax code is used when all your income is taxed at the basic rate and you are not given any tax allowances. If you are on this tax code you can often end up overpaying tax if it is your only job. |
| D0 | This tax code is used when all your income is taxed at the higher rate of tax – currently 40 per cent . |
| NT | This tax code is given when no tax is to be taken from your income or pension |
Scotham - Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
I have tried to telephone the local tax office and can never get through to them. They keep you on hold on an 0845 number. I have written to them and have received no reply on my query about a tax code!
Anonymous - Monday, August 30th, 2010
ia m on the right tax code? 649L cumul. I am on an anual salary of 29.464
Donna Blair - Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
I have a second job what is the percentage of tax i pay on this second job
TaxFix - Monday, September 20th, 2010
Donna Blair: The BR tax rate is currently 20%
Liam McAulay - Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
I have paid BR rate tax on my last 3 jobs do I get the money back?
TaxFix - Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Liam McAulay: If you have been on a BR (or emergency tax code) you may have overpaid tax. Was this for the current tax year or previous years? If it was for previous years you can make a claim now, if not you will need to wait until the end of the current tax year.
sam - Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
hi i have recently finished a higher education course at the end of june but started getting taxed in may and my tax code has changed to 27T what does it mean as i seem to b getting taxed nearly £130 a month on a £450 wage
Kay Simpson - Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Hi I have just been informed by my employers that my tax code will be changing to K31 what does this mean and why?
Than you Kay Simpson
TaxFix - Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Kay Simpson: A change in tax code usually happens because of a change in your allowances or for expenses.
alan o,connor - Monday, November 15th, 2010
as a retired man of 72 how much income can I have before tax
m mayor - Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
why is it that only married women over 65 pay the higher rate of tax and not the 10% on the first £2000
Loretta - Saturday, March 5th, 2011
I have paid a BR tax code for three months is it worth claiming as I have now left this employment and my new tax code is 416L
Steven Greig - Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
My tax code is O653L or 0653L (begins with zero). I have been unable to track down this tax code on-line anywhere. Any information you can give would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Linda Booth - Saturday, April 30th, 2011
I have 2 tax codes, why?
1. BT Pension
2. present employment
David Beale - Sunday, May 1st, 2011
I have two small pensions one from a former employer and one from the Prudential I have been given dfferent tax codes for these why?
guru - Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
what the meaning of tax code call nt
audrey tate - Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
my date of birth is wrong on my p60 from dumfries and galloway college what do i di to change that
Marc young - Saturday, July 2nd, 2011
My ax code is 647L W and I am wondering what the W is for
Related Questions
Related Articles