Festive workers, including those on short-term contracts, are being urged to check their pay to make sure they aren’t missing out on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
Seasonal staff and students employed over the Christmas period are legally entitled to receive at least the same minimum rates as other workers.
HMRC is urging workers to check their hourly rate of pay, and to look out for unpaid working time.
🎄 Started a Christmas job? 🎄
🎁 HMRC is urging festive workers, including those on short-term contracts, to check their pay. ✅
Find out more below. 👇 pic.twitter.com/FWDrCJdayV
— HMRC Press Office (@HMRCpressoffice) December 19, 2024
This can include time spent cleaning and closing premises, training, or picking up extra hours.
Deductions, for things like uniforms or tools, can also reduce pay rates.
The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:
- £11.44 – Age 21 and over (National Living Wage)
- £8.60 – Age 18 to 20
- £6.40 – Age under 18
- £6.40 – Apprentice
Anyone not being paid what they are entitled to, or people concerned that someone they know may not be getting paid correctly, can report it online.
How to check your tax code
You can find your tax code on your latest payslip or on your P45 if you recently quit your job.
HMRC says the easiest and quickest way to check your tax code is through the HMRC app.
You can also find it on gov.uk/tax-codes but first must register for a government gateway ID.
Letters in an employee’s tax code refer to their situation and how it affects their Personal Allowance. The full list of tax code letters and what they mean can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
These are the most common letters, and what they mean:
- L – For an employee entitled to the standard tax-free Personal Allowance
- S – For an employee whose main home is in Scotland
- BR/ SBR – For a second job or pension
- M – For an employee whose spouse or civil partner has transferred some of their Personal Allowance
- N – For an employee who has transferred some of their Personal Allowance to their spouse or civil partner
- T – When HMRC needs to review some items with the employee
How to claim back tax
If you think you are on the wrong tax code, you can contact HMRC on 0300 200 330 or speak to an advisor online via their live chat service.
HMRC will contact your employer to correct your tax code and you will get any money you overpaid in tax in your next payslip.
You can also claim back up to four additional years if you have been overpaying for some time.