PAYE code adjustments
Written by Ray Coman
A PAYE code is used to determine the amount of tax to deduct at source from employment or pension pay. It is a device used by HMRC to match what is deducted at source from pay with the expected tax liability. Certain items on the PAYE code will add to the tax-free allowance (such as expected pension contributions) and other items will add to taxable income (such as property income.)
Requesting a change of PAYE code
PAYE adjustment where more than one job
Estimated tax owed for the current tax year
Requesting collection of self-assessment tax via PAYE
Outstanding debt included in tax code
Underpaid tax for tax year of the Tax Return included in tax code for following tax year
Adjustment for national insurance
Adjustment to Tax for Student Loan
No more than 50% of pay can be collected at source
The PAYE code
The PAYE code is based on historical circumstances. For instance, let us say a person had private medical benefits in the past. Tax is collected on this benefit by increasing the tax withheld at source from monthly pay. Continuing the example above, if medical benefit is no longer provided, the PAYE code will be deducting too much tax at source.
The tax code has a cash flow implication only. If it transpires that too much or too little tax has been deducted at source, this will be adjusted at the year end. For people who do not need to complete a Tax Return, overpayments are repaid by HMRC and underpayments are often added to the tax code for future years. This is explained in more detail below. For taxpayers who file a Tax Return, any underpayment or overpayment of tax at source will be factored into the calculation of tax payable via self-assessment or amount to be repaid by HMRC.
Requesting a change of PAYE code
As explained above, a wrong PAYE code should not result in any change in the amount of tax eventually paid. However, it can present a cashflow drawback. It is possible to request a review of the PAYE code. This would be appropriate if the code includes items which are no longer applicable. The online form is referred to as a “PAYE Coding Notice query”: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/shortforms/form/P2
The PAYE Coding Notice
A PAYE code is issued by HMRC to both employee and employer. The copy received by the employee (referred to as a P2) provides an itemisation of components of the code and supporting explanation. The code is posted to employees and can be accessed online for individuals with a personal tax account. The copy issued to the employer, known as a P6 and if there is a subsequent change to the code in the tax year it is referred to as a P9. For confidentiality reasons, the employer copy does not show how the code was calculated. A P6 or P9 simply states the employee details and the code.
PAYE adjustment where more than one job
The PAYE code could include an adjustment to Rate Bands on the grounds that the taxpayer has more than one job or pension. Based on historical pay, HMRC could estimate that a pay from one job exceeds the personal allowance. In that case, HMRC instruct the employer of the second job not to include any personal allowance in the calculation of the second job.
Estimated tax owed for the current tax year
An assessment of PAYE code is made on the basis that historical circumstance will continue into the current year. A cause of tax liability, such as profits from a rental property, arising in a previous year would lead to the expectation that there will be a tax liability in the current year. Increasing the tax collected during the tax year based on estimated income, benefits the cash flow of HMRC as compared with waiting until after the end of the tax year when the actual taxable income is known.
Estimated tax owed for the current year can be caused by a selection on the Tax Return. The Tax Return includes a section headed “If you have not paid enough tax.” In that section, HMRC provide an option for tax owed on savings, casual earnings and/or the High Income Child Benefit Charge for the current tax year to be collected via adjustment to the tax code. Note that a Tax Return cannot be completed until after the end of the tax year. The current tax year therefore refers to the tax year which has not yet ended, and which will be after the tax year of the Tax Return.
As explained above, an in-year estimate of tax can be caused by an entry made in the Tax Return of a preceding tax year. However, the in-year estimate of tax appearing on the PAYE Coding Notice should not appear on the Tax Return. If the PAYE Coding notice refers to an estimate, that amount is not adjusted for in the Tax Return. By contrast, if the PAYE Coding Notice refers to an underpayment, that amount is adjusted for in the Tax Return.
Let us say a taxpayer has rental profits of £1,000 giving rise to tax of £400. HMRC will change the tax code so as to collect the extra £400. Let us say HMRC is correct, and there was £400 tax to pay on rental profits. The employment earnings and tax deducted at source is entered. So far there is a repayment of £400. Then the rental profits are added, and the net tax liability is nil. No further entries need to be made in the tax calculation pages about underpaid tax and debt. HMRC correctly forecast the tax to deduct at source and there is nothing further to add to the Tax Return.
Requesting collection of self-assessment tax via PAYE
For taxpayers who are self-assessed, any tax payable is due by 31 January following the end of the tax year. However, via the Tax Return, HMRC offer the option for the tax to be collected via adjustment to the tax code.
This option is subject to two conditions:
- The tax owed being less than £3,000
- The Tax Return being filed online by 30 December following the end of the tax year.
The tax code is adjusted in the next tax year but one. Tax in 2020/21 would be collected via the 2022/23 tax code. There is a cash flow benefit to requesting tax collected via adjustment to the PAYE code. Rather than being due by 31 January following the end of the tax year, the tax is collected in twelve monthly instalments starting the April following the end of the tax year.
Outstanding debt included in tax code
There is an entry on the tax calculation supplement of the Tax Return for outstanding debt. If the required amount is not entered into the Tax Return, too much tax deducted at source will be calculated. Outstanding debt usually related to Class 2 National Insurance. However, self-assessment debt can also be included in the tax code.
Underpaid tax for previous years included in tax code
The PAYE coding notice (or P2) will state the amount of any underpaid tax. It is often posted by HMRC, but it can also be accessed online via the personal tax account. The section above explains the process for requesting collection of self-assessment tax via PAYE. Once requested, the PAYE Coding Notice for the next year but one is updated. If underpaid tax for previous years is included in the PAYE coding notice, the corresponding entry for that tax year should be stated on the Tax Return.
Consider that tax deducted at source would have been increased to collect that underpaid tax. Therefore, if the underpaid tax is not stated in the Tax Return, likely an over deduction of tax at source would be identified. Underpaid tax differs from outstanding debt in that it is the result of a request made on the Tax Return. If the underpaid box is not entered on the Tax return, HMRC will usually send out an assessment for the extra liability once the Return has been processed.
It is only underpaid tax of the PAYE Coding Notice which has the same tax year as that covered by the Tax return which is included in the respective Tax Return. For instance, if the adjustment is being made to 2021/22 and the Tax Return being completed is 2020/21, nothing needs to be added to the 2020/21 Tax Return.
Underpaid tax for tax year of the Tax Return included in tax code for following tax year
The tax calculation pages of the Tax Return include an entry to indicate that underpaid tax of the year covered by the Tax Return is included in the PAYE code of the following year. If the PAYE code for the current tax year includes liability for the tax year covered by the Tax Return, the amount should be entered as appropriate. This will prevent tax being paid twice and the resulting challenge in making a correction with HMRC.
It is rarer that this adjustment is required, however, it can arise with Tax Return amendments.
Adjustment for national insurance
HMRC can adjust national insurance liability on the basis that the individual was both self-employed and employed. The adjustment cannot be made on a Tax Return any more and it is therefore necessary to wait for HMRC to correct the tax liability. The assessment sent by HMRC to the taxpayer will refer to an adjustment to Class 4 for Class 2 and primary Class 1 contributions. This occurs where employment earnings are already over the upper earnings threshold for national insurance.
Adjustment to Tax for Student Loan
If a Tax Return does not include a student loan repayment due, HMRC can adjust tax liability due to student loan.
No more than 50% of pay can be collected at source
Regardless of the tax code, it is not possible to collect more than 50% of a person’s pay via collection of tax at source.
Limited company contractors
Director’s salary is structured to be equal to the national insurance threshold. Therefore, a PAYE code for a contractor related to the company can typically be ignored.
Summary
The PAYE coding system is an attempt by HMRC to collect the correct amount of tax at source by reference to the expected circumstances of the taxpayer. Outstanding debt and underpaid tax amounts are included in the PAYE coding notice and should be copied to the Tax Return for the respective tax year.
