FreeNo sign-in. Nothing leaves your browser.
UK take-home pay and tax code check
Your pay after tax and National Insurance, and whether your tax code looks right. 2026/27, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Estimate for 2026/27, not tax advice. Rates from GOV.UK. England, Wales and Northern Ireland only. Your payslip and HMRC are the final word.
Common questions
What does tax code 1257L mean?
It is the standard code for most people with one job or pension. It means £12,570 of your pay each year is tax-free, which is the Personal Allowance. The number is the allowance with the last digit dropped, and L means the standard allowance applies.
How is UK take-home pay worked out?
Income tax is 20% on pay between £12,570 and £50,270, 40% from there to £125,140, and 45% above. Employee National Insurance is 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above. These are the 2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Why might my tax code be wrong?
Common causes are company benefits, tax owed from an earlier year, untaxed income, a second job, or an emergency code at a new job. Check the code in your HMRC personal tax account, and ask HMRC to correct it if it is wrong.
What is an emergency tax code?
A code ending W1, M1 or X. Tax is worked out on each pay period on its own, which can take the wrong amount. It is usually temporary, and giving your employer your P45 helps move you off it.
Does this cover Scotland?
No. Scotland uses different income tax rates, so a Scottish code (starting with S) is not covered here.