In uk... is tax code W1543L an emergency tax code?

Question

is the above tax code an emergency tax code or a normal one? im confused.

Answer 1

BR is not emergency tax, but is basic rate, which is something different. W1543L is emergency cose. If you are on this code, you need to ring HMRC and ask them what info they need to put you on a normal, cumulative code.

Answer 2

There is no difference between a single man's or a married woman's tax code (before someone else makes the redundant point ...  there was a married couple's allowance if you or your spouse was born before 1935, however if that is the case I would recommend retirement)

The standard tax code for everyone is currently 543L. As the standard code it is also the emergency tax code. There is no code starting with 'W1' so I would ignore that.

Often if put on emergency tax you will actually pay less tax that you should (ie: if you receive other benefits etc) but it can be detrimental (ie: if you were unemployed for part of the year previously).

Answer 3

Thats the single man basic allowance tax code, so it's either completely appropriate or "an emergency one" depending on whether it fits your guy....

Answer 4

i thought that BR was the emergency tax code - BR being Basic Rate - the maximum tax possible!!! The only good thing is, once your code is sorted, you get a nice big cheque back - like an compulsory savings scheme really!!!

Answer 5

543L is a basic single person tax code, but it has W1 in front of it which means it is operated on a week 1 basis.  This means that it is emergency and only allows you the allowances you are due for that pay period. It may be that you are due unused allowances from earlier in the year when perhaps you were not working or your income level was below the tax threshold. You will need to speak to the tax oddice to get it reviewed and a cumulative tax code will then be sent to your employer to operate.