How to pay income tax

Many people pay their income tax directly through their wages or pension. These pages explain how this system works and what your tax code means.

You can also find out if you need to complete a tax return and how to go about doing it.

This content applies to England

The Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system

Information on the PAYE system for paying income tax including how tax is calculated. It explains the system of Self Assessment.

Tax codes

Links to websites giving information on tax codes, including how they are worked out and what they mean.

Self assessment

Link to the HM Revenue and Customs website, for information about self assessment of income tax.

Tax returns

Guide to tax returns, including who needs to complete a tax return, completing the form, the deadline for returning the form and errors on the form.

Child Benefit and tax if you have a high income

Paying tax on child benefit, known as High Income Child Benefit Charge, for people with income over £50,000 or more per tax year, how to pay the tax, and how to avoid paying it.