UK Tax Codes: Explained
As a sole trader in the UK, understanding the country’s tax system is essential for running a successful business. As a growing business, sorting and organising tax codes for your employees’ wage slips is no small feat.
Through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system, businesses handle paying any income tax owed by their employees before sending out the wage packets, so knowing what all the UK tax codes mean will be very useful. Anyone employed or paid via PAYE will be given a tax code by their employer via HMRC, which will be shown on their payslip. In contrast, sole traders don’t have a tax code because they don’t pay themselves through PAYE.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to understand them to ensure that you pay the correct amount of tax and avoid penalties for underpayment, which is why we’ve created this guide explaining the meaning of the UK’s tax codes.
Remember that great managers know when to delegate, and if you’re looking for a flourishing small business accountant in the Peterborough area, contact Stonehouse Accountants to see the range of bookkeeping and accountancy services we offer.
Meaning of the Tax Code Numbers
A typical tax code will be a sequence of numbers followed by one or more letters, for example, 1257L.
The opening numbers on the tax code tell you how much money an employee earns without paying taxes. In this example, 1257L means that the employee takes home £12,570 without any tax imposed on it.
HMRC calculates the tax code number by considering personal allowance and any other untaxed income the person receives, as well as the value of certain other employee benefits they might receive as part of the job, for example, a company car or health insurance.
Meaning of the Tax Code Letters
The letter at the end of a tax code indicates any specific conditions that affect a specific tax code, and each letter has a different meaning. For example, the L in the example tax code above means the employee is entitled to the standard personal allowance.
Other common tax code letters include:
- M – Marriage allowance
- 0T – Personal allowed used up / recently started a new job / not enough information to calculate correct tax code
- BR – Basic rate
- S – Scottish rate
- C – Welsh rate
- K – Income that is not being taxed another way and is worth more than your tax-free allowance. This may cause you financial difficulties, and you should contact HMRC
- W1, M1 or X – Emergency tax codes that often mean you need to contact HMRC
Seek a Professional Small Business Accountant
Understanding how tax codes work in the UK is an essential aspect of managing your finances, but for small business owners, managing taxes can be a complex and time-consuming process. This is where a small business accountant such as Stonehouse can be incredibly beneficial.
The most esteemed sole trader and small business accountant in the Peterborough area, Stonehouse can provide you with expert advice and guidance on managing your finances, ensuring that you pay the correct amount of tax while also taking advantage of any tax breaks or allowances that are available to you. Plus, we can help you to prepare and file your tax returns, manage your cash flow, and provide ongoing support and advice as your business grows.
We have the expertise and knowledge to help you navigate your financial records and ensure everything is kept in order, and with our help, you can be confident that you’ll be fully prepared for the end of the tax year without having to worry about a thing.
Whether you’re a growing business or new to accounting services, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your financial goals.