Guide
Why Your Payslip Might Be Wrong
Most payslip issues come from tax code changes, emergency tax, student loan setup, pension deductions, or pay-period timing differences.
Quick answer
If your net pay looks off, check the tax code, tax year, gross pay, pension line, and whether this is your first payslip from a new job.
What to check
- Compare your gross pay with your contract or hours worked.
- Check the tax code on the payslip and whether it shows W1, M1, or X.
- Check if pension, student loan, or salary sacrifice has started this month.
What to do next
- Run the payslip checker with the figures from the payslip.
- If the tax code looks wrong, compare it with HMRC messages and your personal tax account.
- If it is a first payslip after changing jobs, keep an eye on the next payslip too.
Try the tool
Use the checker if you already have a payslip. Use the calculator if you want to model take-home pay or salary-sacrifice changes before payday.