For many of us, tax can feel like a complicated, behind-the-scenes process, and if you don’t usually complete a tax return, it can be tempting to leave it entirely to your employer or HMRC. However, even if you don’t file a tax return, it’s important to ensure that you’re paying the correct amount of tax. Getting it wrong could mean overpaying—or underpaying—and both have consequences!

Your tax code is the key to how much income tax is deducted from your salary each month. It reflects your personal allowances and any adjustments HMRC needs to make, such as benefits in kind, unpaid taxes from previous years, or other deductions. If your tax code is incorrect, you could be paying too much tax or facing an unexpected tax bill at the end of the year.

1 in 3 Advance members have discovered their tax code was incorrect, causing them to pay too much tax after using a tax expert to check their tax. Fortunately, they were able to get their tax back from HMRC – in some cases, over £3,300.

Common reasons a tax code might be wrong include changes in employment, receiving income from multiple sources, or adjustments to benefits and allowances. Because many employees do not regularly check their tax codes, errors can go unnoticed for years. Even a small mistake in your tax code could mean hundreds of pounds being taken unnecessarily from your pay.

The good news is that checking your tax code doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to complete a full tax return or navigate complex forms because, as an Advance member, you have access to expert employment tax specialists.

The team of tax experts at Check My Tax can review your situation, confirm whether your tax code is correct, and guide you through any adjustments that may be needed, including providing you with pre-completed claim forms so you can recover your money. They can also do all the work for you so you don’t have to deal with HMRC yourself. They make it straightforward to understand your tax position and avoid overpaying.

Taking the time to check your tax code can save you stress and money. It’s a simple step that ensures your salary is taxed correctly, giving you peace of mind that HMRC isn’t taking too much—or too little—from your pay.

Remember, even if you don’t usually complete a tax return, staying on top of your tax code is an important part of managing your finances. A quick review could reveal opportunities for refunds or prevent future tax issues. Don’t wait until the end of the year—check your tax code today.

For full information on the service offered to Advance members through Check My Tax, visit www.checkmytax.co.uk/adv