Tax when you start work
Get on the right tax code from your first payslip.
The decision here
Does your payslip show a normal tax code, or an emergency one?
What to know before you act
- Two separate questions: can you start work, and what payroll information does your employer need? A National Insurance number is not what decides your tax code.
- If you have a P45 from a previous UK job, give it to your employer. If you do not, the HMRC starter checklist may be the right route.
- Incorrect or incomplete starter information can cause you to pay too much or too little tax.
- A personal tax account lets you check your code and employment record yourself.
Do this
- Open step
Set up HMRC before your first payday
Give your employer the right starter information and check your tax code.
If you get stuck
Your take-home pay looks wrong on an early payslip
Usually because: The tax code applied may not yet reflect your correct starter information.
Do this instead: Check the code held for you in your personal tax account, give your employer the correct starter declaration, and query the code with HMRC rather than the employer.
Official sources
Where this comes from
- Source
- GOV.UK (HMRC)
- Applies to
- UK-wide (Scottish income tax rates apply to Scottish taxpayers)
- Last checked
- 12 September 2026
- Next review
- 12 October 2026
- Rule status
- Current rule
- Risk
- Higher risk if you get this wrong
Why this applies to you: You are starting paid work, and your starter information decides the tax code used on your pay.
Agumba explains and orders official guidance. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm the detail on the official page before acting.
Something to help you finish this
Understanding Your First UK Payslip
Read your pay, deductions and tax code, and know when something is worth querying.
What you end up with: You can explain every line of your payslip and know what to check with HMRC.