The TL;DR
1257L is the most common tax code: it gives you £12,570 tax-free a year. If yours is different, there’s usually a reason — but it’s worth checking.
The detail
- Codes ending in L with a different number usually mean HMRC is adjusting for benefits, untaxed income or tax owed.
- Emergency codes end in W1, M1 or X — you might pay too much until it’s fixed.
- BR means all your pay is taxed at 20%, often used for a second job.
- Check and fix it in the HMRC app or your Personal Tax Account.
Your 5-minute move
Your 5-minute move
Use the tools and explainers below to check your own numbers.
Related questions
Receipts · checked 9 November 2026