Errors in New PAYE Codes

Newsletter issue - February 2010.

The Taxman has started to issue the 2010/11 PAYE codes, for the tax year that starts on 6 April 2010. This code arrives in the form of a P2 notice, and a copy should go to your employer (on a form P9). If you have received your 2010/11 PAYE code already please study it carefully, as any corrections need to be made in the next few weeks.

Since the Taxman fired up a new PAYE computer last summer there have been a number of faults appearing in PAYE codes. In some cases the age allowance or married couples allowance disappeared, in other cases the state pension amount was understated. Now many of the 2010/11 codes have excluded some of the basic personal allowance, which should be £6,475 for those aged under 65.

This fault occurs if you have changed jobs in the last few years, or started to receive a pension.

The Taxman's computer thinks you are still receiving a wage from your old job, so has split your personal allowance over your current employment or pension and your old job. If you do not have your full personal allowance of £6,475 shown on your 2010/11 PAYE code, ring the Tax Office to ask why, or speak to us.