I think I'm in the wrong tax band - not sure how to fix it?

DD265

I am a total tax newbie so please bear with me!

Basically out of last months wages of £1202.80 I lost £132.40 to PAYE and £79.97 to NI. It was a similar story the month before, but I got a raise which took effect in November so the amounts were slightly different.

To me this seems really high. I don't know - I could be wrong - but it just seems like a big proportion.

My tax code is 647L M1 - I understand the M1 to relate to "month 1" which is from my previous job (I was at BT two weeks, couldn't cut it and then joined my current job about 1 month later) but the accountant at work now thinks this might be incorrect. Prior to the job at BT, I was unemployed for just over a month and technically self employed for several months before that (only two of which I was out of full time education - worked part time during and after my degree).

I don't know who I need to query it with - any advice?

Mikeyorks

You need to sort out the 'Month 1' with HMRC as that would be inhibiting any refund you may be due for the unemployed period.

Otherwise the tax is correct. You have a personal allowance of £6475 which is doled out at circa £540per month. Which computes as :

£1202 less £540 = £662 taxable @ 20% = £132.40

.......... which is spot on?