How to update your tax code

In most cases, HMRC will automatically update your tax code when your income changes. They’ll usually get this information from your employer.

If HMRC has the wrong information about your income, you may be given an incorrect tax code.

To correct your tax code, make sure HMRC has up-to-date details about your income.

Check what you need to do if you’re on an emergency tax code.

If you think your tax code is wrong

If you think your tax code is wrong, you can use the check your Income Tax online service to:

  • update your employment details

  • tell HMRC about a change in income that may have affected your tax code

Tell HMRC about a change in income

You can report a change in your income by either:

If you’re contacting HMRC on someone else’s behalf

If you need to tell HMRC about a change in someone else’s income (for example, because you’re their accountant) fill in a PAYE Coding Notice query form.

After you report your change

HMRC will contact you if they change your tax code.

They will also tell your employer or pension provider that your tax code has changed.

Your next payslip should show:

  • your new tax code

  • adjustments to your pay if you were paying the wrong amount of tax

Get a tax refund or pay the tax you owe

If HMRC update your tax code and you’ve paid too much or too little tax, HMRC will send you either: