How to check your tax code – and you could be owed HUNDREDS of pounds

YOU could be owed money back from the tax office after accidentally overpaying.

Workers can claim back this cash by checking you're paying the right amount of tax - here's how.

Brits who are due a refund will start to receive letters from HMRC confirming the repayment from April.

Some tax codes changed last year, so it's a good idea to get clued up on what they mean - otherwise you could be out of pocket.

If you've recently moved jobs, not given your new workplace your P45 or filled in a starter checklist form, you might find you've been put on the wrong code.

If this happens, the tax office will automatically place you on the emergency tax code until you contact them.

We explain how to check your tax code - and how to claim any money back that you're owed.

What is a tax code?

A tax code is a combination of numbers and letters used by employers and pension providers to work out how much income tax you should pay.

Your company will take the money from your pay check before it arrives in your account.

Most people are basic-rate taxpayers, earning less than £37,500 a year.

You can earn £12,570 between April 2021 and April 2022 before paying tax. This is called your personal allowance.

The standard tax code for basic-rate taxpayers is 1257L - you can work out what your personal allowance is by multiplying this by 10.

So you can earn £12,570 without paying tax on it.

How do I check my tax code?

It's worth checking if your employer is using the right tax code or you could end up paying the wrong amount.

Brits will have letters arrive in the post from this month telling them what their tax code is for the 2021/22 tax year.

This year's tax year started April 6 2021 and runs until April 5 2022.

But if you didn't get a letter, or can't find where it is, there are a number of ways you can check what your tax code is for the current tax year.

Your tax code will be displayed on your payslip, usually listed near your National Insurance number.