Recap: Read your payslip

A lower number means less tax-free pay, so more tax. A higher number means less tax.

• BR means none of the pay from this job is tax-free. It is often used for a second job
• A code ending W1, M1 or X is an emergency code. Tax is worked out on that payday alone until HMRC sends the right code

If your code looks wrong, contact HMRC. Your employer cannot change it for you.

A tax code tells your employer how much you can earn in the tax year before income tax starts. HMRC works the code out and sends it to your employer.

The number in the code, times 10, is your tax-free pay for the year. The letter tells the payroll more about your situation.

The codes in this room are made up for practice. Maya's code here is 1200L. The real allowance changes from year to year, and your own code is on your payslip.

• Your name and National Insurance number are right
• The hours and the rate match your own record
• The tax code matches the latest letter from HMRC
• Net pay matches the money that reached your bank

Ask your employer about pay, hours and deductions. Ask HMRC about your tax code.

Keep your payslips. They are proof of what you earned.

A lower number means less tax-free pay, so more tax. A higher number means less tax.

• BR means none of the pay from this job is tax-free. It is often used for a second job
• A code ending W1, M1 or X is an emergency code. Tax is worked out on that payday alone until HMRC sends the right code

If your code looks wrong, contact HMRC. Your employer cannot change it for you.

Next, check each deduction against the gross pay on the payslip.

Tom's tax code is 1200L. In this room that makes £1,000 of his month's pay tax-free, and income tax is 20% of the rest.

National Insurance here is 10% of pay above £1,100 a month.

Next, check each deduction against the gross pay on the payslip.

Tom's tax code is 1200L. In this room that makes £1,000 of his month's pay tax-free, and income tax is 20% of the rest.

National Insurance here is 10% of pay above £1,100 a month.