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- 1250L-W1 or 1250L-M1
These figures are correct for the 2020/21 tax year
1250L was the most common tax code in England and Northern Ireland for the 2020/21 tax year, which started on 6th April 2020. You usually get a new tax code at the beginning of a tax year because this is often when changes to your personal allowance come into effect.
In Wales, the equivalent tax code was C1250L and in Scotland, it was S1250L.
What does it mean?
Nearly everyone is entitled to a tax-free personal allowance, which means that a certain amount of your earnings each year are paid to you without being taxed. If your tax code includes 1250L, it means your allowance will be £12,500.
It is given to you in equal portions throughout the year. For example, if you are paid weekly, your allowanceis equivalent to £240 per week. If you’re paid monthly, it’s £1,042 per month.
Unless you’re in Scotland, any earnings over and above your personal allowance will be taxed as follows:
- 20% on earnings up to £37,500
- 40% on earnings between £37,501 and £150,000
- 45% on earnings above £150,001
So, what if your tax code is 1250L-W1 or 1250L-M1? Having W1 or M1 attached to your code means it is anon-cumulative tax code. The tax due on each payment is therefore determined without taking into account any tax you’ve already paid this year, or how much of your tax-free personal allowance has been used. In other words, it can resultin you overpaying tax. If you see either of these codes on your payslip, you might want todouble checkif this is the best tax code for you.
