Tax Code Checker
Enter the code from your payslip or P60 to see what it means — your tax-free allowance, any flat rate, and the estimated take-home on your salary. Covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland codes.
Check your code
The checker accepts standard codes, Scottish S and Welsh C prefixes, BR, D0, D1, 0T, NT and K codes, plus W1/M1/X emergency suffixes.
What this code means Recognised code
| Item | Result | Notes |
|---|
Estimated take-home on this code
| Item | Amount | % of gross |
|---|
Common tax codes
| Code | Meaning | Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
| 1257L | £12,570 tax-free allowance | Standard code for most employees |
| BR | All income taxed at 20% | Second job or pension |
| D0 | All income taxed at 40% | Second job where higher rate applies |
| D1 | All income taxed at 45% | Second job where additional rate applies |
| 0T | No tax-free allowance | No P45 or allowance already used |
| K497 | £4,970 added to taxable pay | Untaxed benefits or income owed |
| S1257L | Scottish rates, standard allowance | Scottish taxpayer |
| C1257L | Welsh rates, standard allowance | Welsh taxpayer |
| NT | No Income Tax deducted | Specific HMRC instruction |
| 1257L W1/M1 | Emergency, non-cumulative | New job without a P45 |
If a code looks wrong, contact HMRC or check your Personal Tax Account. A wrong code changes how much tax is taken during the year, but it does not change your National Insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1257L mean?
1257L is the standard 2026/27 code. The number 1257 gives a tax-free Personal Allowance of £12,570, and L means you receive the standard allowance.
What does a BR tax code mean?
BR means all income on that job is taxed at 20% with no Personal Allowance. It is normally used for a second job or a pension.
What is a K tax code?
A K code means you have untaxed income such as company benefits. The number is added to your taxable pay instead of giving you an allowance — K497 adds £4,970.