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Enter your tax code above to decode it instantly.
Enter your tax code to instantly find out your personal allowance, what each part means, and whether you might be on the wrong code.
Enter your tax code above to decode it instantly.
| Tax Code | What It Means | Personal Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 1257L | Standard code · full personal allowance | £12,570 |
| BR | Basic Rate on all income · no personal allowance · usually second job | £0 |
| 0T | No personal allowance · taxed from first £1 at normal rates | £0 |
| D0 | All income taxed at higher rate (40%) · no allowance | £0 |
| D1 | All income taxed at additional rate (45%) · no allowance | £0 |
| NT | No tax on this income source | N/A |
| 1383M | Marriage Allowance received (M suffix) · £13,830 allowance | £13,830 |
| 1131N | Marriage Allowance transferred (N suffix) · £11,310 allowance | £11,310 |
| K497 | K code · taxable benefit exceeds allowance · reduces take-home | Negative |
| 1257L W1 | Emergency code (week 1 basis) · not cumulative | £12,570 |
| S1257L | Scottish taxpayer · standard allowance | £12,570 |
| C1257L | Welsh taxpayer · standard allowance | £12,570 |
1257L is the standard tax code for 2026/27. The number 1257 means your personal allowance is £12,570 (multiply by 10). The letter L means you get the standard personal allowance. You pay no income tax on your first £12,570 of earnings each year.
BR stands for Basic Rate. All income from this source is taxed at 20% with no personal allowance applied. This is typically used for a second job or second pension where your personal allowance is already used on your main income.
Emergency tax codes are W1 (week 1), M1 (month 1) or X. They are applied when HMRC has insufficient information about your income. Each pay period is taxed in isolation rather than cumulatively, which often leads to overpaying tax. Contact HMRC or your employer to get this corrected and claim a refund.
A K code means your tax deductions (company car benefit, unpaid tax etc.) exceed your personal allowance. HMRC adds the excess to your income before calculating tax, so you pay more tax than usual. For example K497 means an extra £4,970 is added to your taxable income.
Log in to your HMRC Personal Tax Account at gov.uk/personal-tax-account to see your current tax code and why it has been set. If you think it is wrong, contact HMRC on 0300 200 3300. Common reasons for incorrect codes include starting a new job, having multiple incomes, or receiving taxable benefits.
For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · Tax rates are for 2026/27 · Contact HMRC for official guidance