Payslip Checker UK

Enter your payslip details and we will check if your tax and National Insurance deductions look correct for your tax code and pay period.

A UK payslip must show your gross pay, all deductions (income tax, National Insurance, pension, student loan), and your net pay. Verifying these figures against the correct HMRC thresholds and rates is the most reliable way to confirm your employer is deducting the right amounts each pay period.

Common payslip errors include incorrect tax codes being applied, NI calculated on the wrong earnings bracket, and pension contributions based on total pay rather than qualifying earnings. These mistakes are not always intentional — payroll software misconfigurations and delayed HMRC notifications are frequent causes. However, the financial impact on employees can be substantial over a full tax year.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group found that payslip errors affected an estimated 1.3 million workers in 2023, with the average overpayment of tax standing at £438 (LITRG Annual Report, 2024). Enter your payslip figures below to check whether your deductions align with current HMRC rates.

How to check your payslip

  1. Enter your gross pay and the deductions shown on your payslip
  2. Select your tax code and pay period (weekly or monthly)
  3. The checker compares your deductions against HMRC's published rates
  4. See whether each deduction is correct, with guidance on any discrepancies

Written by the CalcStack team · Last updated March 2026

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Just the number (e.g. 1257 from 1257L)

Frequently asked questions

How do I read my payslip?▾
Your payslip shows: gross pay (before deductions), tax deducted (PAYE), National Insurance, pension contributions, student loan repayments, and net pay (what you receive). Your tax code is usually shown at the top.
Why does my tax seem too high?▾
Common reasons: wrong tax code, emergency tax code (W1/M1), not receiving your full personal allowance, taxable benefits being collected, or underpaid tax from a previous year being recovered.
What is a cumulative vs non-cumulative tax code?▾
Cumulative (normal) means your tax is calculated on total earnings for the year so far. Non-cumulative (W1/M1) means each pay period is taxed independently, ignoring previous periods — this can result in over or underpayment.
How is National Insurance calculated?▾
Employee NI is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 per year, and 2% above £50,270. This is split across your pay periods (divide annual thresholds by 12 for monthly or 52 for weekly).
Should my pension be taken before or after tax?▾
Workplace pensions under auto-enrolment can be net pay (deducted before tax) or relief at source (deducted after tax with tax relief added by the pension provider). Check which method your employer uses.
Why is my student loan deduction different?▾
Student loan repayments are 9% of earnings above the threshold (£22,015 for Plan 1, £27,295 for Plan 2). If your pay varies month to month, the deduction will change accordingly.
What should I do if my payslip is wrong?▾
First check your tax code is correct via your HMRC online account. If the code is right but deductions seem wrong, raise it with your employer payroll department. If unresolved, contact HMRC directly.
Why do I get a tax refund some months?▾
Under cumulative tax codes, if you earned less in earlier months (e.g., started mid-year or had unpaid leave), you may have unused tax-free allowance. Your employer adjusts this by giving a refund in later pay periods.
Are overtime and bonuses taxed differently?▾
No — they are taxed as regular income at your marginal rate. However, a large bonus or overtime payment in one period may push you temporarily into a higher tax bracket for that period.
How accurate is this checker?▾
This checker uses standard HMRC rates and your tax code number to estimate deductions. It assumes cumulative taxation and standard NI categories. For complex situations (multiple jobs, benefits in kind), consult HMRC directly.

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© 2026 CalcStack — a Flavoureak UK Ltd product. Based on 2025/26 HMRC rates. This is a guide only — always verify with HMRC for definitive answers.