How to Print Your Tax Code: A Comprehensive Guide for UK Residents

Understanding your tax code is crucial for ensuring you’re paying the correct amount of tax. It’s used by your employer or pension provider to calculate how much income tax to deduct from your wages or pension. While most people can access their tax code online, sometimes you need a physical copy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of finding and printing your tax code, explain what it means, and answer frequently asked questions.

What is a Tax Code?

Before diving into how to print your tax code, it’s essential to understand what it is. A tax code is a combination of letters and numbers that tells your employer or pension provider how much tax-free income you’re entitled to each tax year. It’s based on your personal allowance, which is the amount of income you can earn before you start paying income tax.

The most common tax code is 1257L, which is the standard personal allowance for individuals under 65 with no other adjustments. The number represents one-tenth of your tax-free allowance, and the letter signifies your tax situation. For example:

* **L:** You’re entitled to the standard tax-free personal allowance.
* **M:** You’ve received a transfer of 10% of your partner’s personal allowance.
* **N:** You’ve transferred 10% of your personal allowance to your partner.
* **T:** HMRC needs further information to determine your allowances.
* **0T:** Your personal allowance has been used up, or HMRC doesn’t have enough information to give you a tax code.
* **BR:** All your income is taxed at the basic rate.
* **D0:** All your income is taxed at the higher rate.
* **D1:** All your income is taxed at the additional rate.
* **NT:** No tax is due on your income.
* **W1/M1:** Emergency tax code; used temporarily until HMRC receives correct information.

It’s important to note that your tax code can change if your circumstances change, such as if you start a new job, receive taxable benefits, or have savings income. Therefore, regularly checking your tax code is always a good idea to prevent underpayment or overpayment of taxes.

Why Might You Need to Print Your Tax Code?

While digital access is convenient, there are several reasons why you might need a physical copy of your tax code:

* **Proof of Tax Code:** Some organizations, such as mortgage lenders or government agencies, may require proof of your tax code.
* **Record Keeping:** Having a physical copy can be useful for your personal record keeping, especially if you prefer to keep paper documents.
* **Accessibility:** If you have limited access to the internet or prefer not to use online services, a printed copy can be more accessible.
* **Sharing with Employer or Pension Provider:** Although they usually receive this information directly from HMRC, sometimes providing a physical copy can expedite the process.
* **Applying for Benefits or Loans:** Certain benefits or loan applications might require you to provide your tax code as part of the documentation.

Methods to Find Your Tax Code

Before you can print your tax code, you need to find it. Here are the primary methods for doing so:

1. Check Your Payslip

Your tax code is usually printed on your payslip. Look for it in the section detailing your tax deductions. It’s typically labeled as “Tax Code” or “PAYE Code”. This is the easiest and quickest way to find your current tax code.

2. Check Your P60

Your P60 is an end-of-year certificate that summarizes your earnings and tax deductions for the tax year (April 6th to April 5th). It includes your tax code at the end of the tax year. Your employer is legally obligated to provide this to you. If you have multiple jobs, you’ll receive a P60 from each employer.

3. Check Your P45 (If Applicable)

Your P45 is a document you receive when you leave a job. It contains details of your earnings and tax deductions up to your last day of employment, including your tax code. If you’ve recently started a new job, your P45 will have the relevant tax code for that previous employment. However, this may not be your *current* tax code.

4. Online via HMRC Website

The most reliable and up-to-date way to find your tax code is through the HMRC website. You’ll need to register for a Government Gateway account if you don’t already have one. Here’s how:

**Step 1: Go to the HMRC Website:**

* Navigate to the GOV.UK website ([https://www.gov.uk/](https://www.gov.uk/)).

**Step 2: Search for “Check Your Income Tax Online”:**

* Use the search bar and type in “check your income tax online”.

**Step 3: Click on the Relevant Link:**

* The search results should lead you to a page titled something like “Check Your Income Tax online”. Click on it.

**Step 4: Sign In or Register for Government Gateway:**

* You’ll be presented with options to sign in using your Government Gateway ID and password or to create an account.
* If you don’t have an account, click on “Create sign in details.” This will lead you through the registration process. You’ll need to provide personal information, including your National Insurance number, date of birth, and address.

**Step 5: Verify Your Identity:**

* You might need to verify your identity during the registration process. This usually involves answering security questions based on your credit history or other personal information.

**Step 6: Access Your Tax Code:**

* Once logged in, you should see a dashboard with options to view your tax information, including your tax code for the current and previous tax years.

5. Contact HMRC by Phone

If you’re unable to access your tax code online, you can contact HMRC by phone. Be prepared to answer security questions to verify your identity. Here’s how:

**Step 1: Find the HMRC Phone Number:**

* Visit the GOV.UK website and search for “HMRC contact numbers.” You should find a page listing different phone numbers for various inquiries.
* Look for the phone number related to income tax or PAYE (Pay As You Earn) inquiries.

**Step 2: Call HMRC:**

* Dial the appropriate phone number. Be aware that call waiting times can be long, especially during peak hours.

**Step 3: Answer Security Questions:**

* The HMRC representative will ask you security questions to verify your identity. Be prepared to provide information such as your National Insurance number, date of birth, address, and details from your P60 or payslips.

**Step 4: Request Your Tax Code:**

* Once your identity is verified, ask the representative to provide your current tax code. They may also explain any recent changes to your code.

**Step 5: Request a Written Confirmation (Optional):**

* If you need a physical copy for record-keeping or proof purposes, ask the representative to send you a written confirmation of your tax code. This may take several days to arrive by mail.

6. HMRC App

The HMRC app is a convenient way to manage your tax affairs on your smartphone or tablet. You can use it to check your tax code, view your estimated tax liability, and make changes to your tax information.

**Step 1: Download the HMRC App:**

* Search for “HMRC app” on the App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).

**Step 2: Install and Open the App:**

* Download and install the app on your device. Once installed, open the app.

**Step 3: Sign In or Register:**

* If you already have a Government Gateway account, you can use your existing login details to sign in.
* If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to register. Follow the on-screen instructions to create an account. You’ll need your National Insurance number and other personal information.

**Step 4: Verify Your Identity:**

* You may need to verify your identity by answering security questions or using a one-time passcode sent to your phone.

**Step 5: Access Your Tax Code:**

* Once logged in, navigate to the section that displays your tax information. You should be able to view your current tax code.

Steps to Print Your Tax Code

Once you’ve located your tax code using one of the methods described above, you can proceed to print it.

1. Printing from Your Payslip or P60

This is the simplest method if you already have a payslip or P60 containing your tax code.

**Step 1: Locate Your Payslip or P60:**

* Find the payslip or P60 that contains your tax code.

**Step 2: Prepare to Print:**

* Ensure your computer is connected to a printer and that the printer is turned on and has sufficient paper and ink.

**Step 3: Print the Document:**

* Open the payslip or P60 document on your computer. This may be a PDF file or a scanned image.
* Click on the “File” menu and select “Print”, or press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac).

**Step 4: Adjust Print Settings (If Necessary):**

* In the print dialog box, adjust the settings as needed. For example, you may want to select “Fit to Page” to ensure the entire document is printed.

**Step 5: Print the Document:**

* Click the “Print” button to print the document. The tax code should be clearly visible on the printed copy.

2. Printing from the HMRC Website

If you accessed your tax code via the HMRC website, you can print it directly from the website.

**Step 1: Access Your Tax Code on the HMRC Website:**

* Log in to your Government Gateway account on the HMRC website and navigate to the section where your tax code is displayed.

**Step 2: Take a Screenshot (If Necessary):**

* If the tax code is not easily printable directly from the website, you can take a screenshot of the page. On Windows, press the “Print Screen” key. On Mac, press Command+Shift+3. This will save a screenshot to your computer.

**Step 3: Open the Screenshot in an Image Editor:**

* Open the screenshot in an image editor such as Paint (Windows) or Preview (Mac).

**Step 4: Crop the Image (If Necessary):**

* Crop the image to include only the relevant information, such as your tax code and name.

**Step 5: Print the Image:**

* Click on the “File” menu and select “Print”, or press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac).

**Step 6: Adjust Print Settings (If Necessary):**

* In the print dialog box, adjust the settings as needed. For example, you may want to select “Fit to Page” to ensure the entire image is printed.

**Step 7: Print the Image:**

* Click the “Print” button to print the image. The tax code should be clearly visible on the printed copy.

3. Printing from a Digital P60 or P45 (PDF)

Many employers now provide P60s and P45s in digital format, typically as PDF files.

**Step 1: Open the PDF Document:**

* Locate the PDF file containing your P60 or P45 and open it using a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview (Mac).

**Step 2: Prepare to Print:**

* Ensure your computer is connected to a printer and that the printer is turned on and has sufficient paper and ink.

**Step 3: Print the Document:**

* Click on the “File” menu and select “Print”, or press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac).

**Step 4: Adjust Print Settings (If Necessary):**

* In the print dialog box, adjust the settings as needed. For example, you may want to select “Fit to Page” to ensure the entire document is printed.

**Step 5: Print the Document:**

* Click the “Print” button to print the document. The tax code should be clearly visible on the printed copy.

Understanding Your Tax Code: A Deeper Dive

While this guide focuses on printing your tax code, understanding what it means is equally important. Here’s a more detailed explanation of the common tax code components:

* **The Number:** As mentioned earlier, the number in your tax code usually represents one-tenth of your personal allowance. For example, 1257 in 1257L represents a personal allowance of £12,570.
* **The Letter:** The letter indicates your tax situation and affects how your income is taxed. Common letters include:
* **L:** The standard personal allowance.
* **M:** Increased personal allowance due to a transfer from your partner.
* **N:** Reduced personal allowance because you’ve transferred some to your partner.
* **T:** Other calculations are needed, and HMRC will review your code.
* **0T:** Your personal allowance has been used up, or HMRC lacks necessary information.
* **BR:** All income is taxed at the basic rate.
* **D0:** All income is taxed at the higher rate.
* **D1:** All income is taxed at the additional rate.
* **NT:** No tax is due on your income.
* **W1/M1:** Emergency tax code, used temporarily until correct information is received.

* **Suffixes:** Sometimes, tax codes may include suffixes, which indicate other factors affecting your tax liability:
* **T:** Indicates that items being taxed are not standard PAYE (Pay As You Earn) situations.
* **W1/M1:** Represents a week 1 or month 1 basis, meaning that tax is calculated on each payment separately, without considering cumulative earnings.
* **X:** Represents that the code is temporary, and a review is needed.

Common Tax Code Errors and How to Correct Them

Tax code errors can lead to either underpayment or overpayment of taxes. It’s essential to check your tax code regularly and take steps to correct any errors you find.

1. Common Tax Code Errors

* **Incorrect Personal Allowance:** Your personal allowance may be incorrect if HMRC doesn’t have accurate information about your income or benefits.
* **Untaxed Income Not Accounted For:** If you have income from savings, investments, or property, it may not be included in your tax code, leading to underpayment.
* **Taxable Benefits Not Included:** If you receive taxable benefits from your employer, such as a company car or private medical insurance, they should be included in your tax code. Failure to do so can result in underpayment.
* **Multiple Jobs:** If you have more than one job, it’s important to ensure that your tax code is correctly allocated to each job. Incorrect allocation can lead to errors in your tax deductions.

2. How to Correct Tax Code Errors

If you believe your tax code is incorrect, you should contact HMRC as soon as possible.

**Step 1: Gather Information:**

* Collect your payslips, P60, and any other relevant documents that show your income and tax deductions.

**Step 2: Contact HMRC:**

* Contact HMRC by phone or through their online services. Explain the error you’ve identified and provide the necessary information.

**Step 3: Provide Evidence:**

* Be prepared to provide evidence to support your claim, such as copies of your payslips or P60.

**Step 4: Follow Up:**

* After contacting HMRC, follow up to ensure that the error has been corrected. You can check your tax code online or through the HMRC app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about tax codes:

**Q: How often should I check my tax code?**

* You should check your tax code at least once a year, ideally at the start of each tax year (April 6th). You should also check it whenever your circumstances change, such as when you start a new job, receive taxable benefits, or have changes to your savings income.

**Q: What happens if my tax code is wrong?**

* If your tax code is wrong, you may either underpay or overpay your taxes. It’s important to correct any errors as soon as possible to avoid penalties or to receive a refund of overpaid taxes.

**Q: Can my tax code change during the year?**

* Yes, your tax code can change during the year if your circumstances change. HMRC will notify you and your employer or pension provider of any changes to your tax code.

**Q: What is an emergency tax code?**

* An emergency tax code is a temporary tax code used when HMRC doesn’t have enough information to determine your correct tax code. It’s often used when you start a new job or if you haven’t provided your P45 to your new employer. Emergency tax codes are usually indicated by the letters “W1” or “M1”.

**Q: How do I find my National Insurance number?**

* Your National Insurance number is printed on your National Insurance card, payslips, P60, and other official documents from HMRC. You can also find it by logging in to your online HMRC account.

**Q: What is the standard personal allowance for the current tax year?**

* As of the current tax year (2023/2024), the standard personal allowance is £12,570. This amount may change in future tax years, so it’s always a good idea to check the current rates on the GOV.UK website.

**Q: What do I do if I have multiple sources of income?**

* If you have multiple sources of income, such as from employment, self-employment, or property, you’ll need to declare all your income to HMRC. You may need to complete a Self Assessment tax return to report your income and calculate your tax liability.

**Q: How do I appeal a tax decision?**

* If you disagree with a tax decision made by HMRC, you have the right to appeal. You can appeal online, by post, or by phone. You’ll need to provide evidence to support your appeal.

Conclusion

Printing your tax code is a straightforward process once you know where to find it. This guide has provided you with comprehensive instructions on how to locate your tax code, print it, and understand its components. Regularly checking your tax code and correcting any errors will help you ensure you’re paying the correct amount of tax. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact HMRC for assistance. Keeping track of your tax affairs and understanding your tax code is a crucial step toward financial responsibility and peace of mind.