Worked only 6 months of the year - was I being taxed as if I worked the whole year?

synchro_2

Hello,

I was at university until August 2010 (not employed), when I got a job in September 2010 that ended earlier this month, March 2011. I'm just curious whether I would have been taxed as if I was working the entirety of the tax year, and not just those 6 months (Sept till March)?

chrisbur

Either is possible, the only way to tell is by your tax code and tax basis. The tax basis usually appears after the code on payslips and will show if the code was applied on a cumulative basis or not.

jem16

You would likely have been taxed on the basis of a whole year and provided your tax code was 647L with no Wk1/Mth1 suffix you would have got the benefit of the tax free allowances for the months of April to August.

Figures and tax code would be required to make sure.

synchro_2

Hi,

From my final pay slip:

Tax code: 647L (W1)

Not sure what Tax basis is

"Year to date":

Gross pay: 5250.00
Taxable pay: 5250.00
Tax: 422.80
NI: 262.87

jem16

synchro wrote: »

Hi,

Tax code: 647L (W1)

Not sure what Tax basis is

Wk1 is a non-cumulative tax code so you did not get the benefit of the unused months.

"Year to date":

Gross pay: 5250.00
Taxable pay: 5250.00
Tax: 422.80
NI: 262.87

You shouldn't have paid any tax if this was your only income.

synchro_2

Really?! I was on a government scheme called the "Future Jobs Fund" - 35 hours a week, minimum wage. Do they then owe me all the tax I paid? When would I get it back? Sorry for all the questions

jem16

synchro wrote: »

Do they then owe me all the tax I paid? When would I get it back? Sorry for all the questions

If you know you will not be working again before April 5th (end of this tax year) then you can apply for it now so long as you have your P45. If you think you might get another job then apply from April 6th. Refunds can take around 6/8 weeks.

You will need your P45 to claim your refund and so far you are due back all of the tax that you have paid. This may change if you do get a job or apply for Job Seekers Allowance.

synchro_2

jem16 wrote: »

If you know you will not be working again before April 5th (end of this tax year) then you can apply for it now so long as you have your P45. If you think you might get another job then apply from April 6th.

You will need your P45 to claim your refund and so far you are due back all of the tax that you have paid. This may change if you do get a job or apply for Job Seekers Allowance.

Yeah I applied for JSA on the phone last week and have an interview at the Job Centre Plus on Monday. But still regardless of, say, JSA for a few weeks (and then another job), they should still pay me all that tax I'm owed at some point from April 6th?

jem16

synchro wrote: »

Yeah I applied for JSA on the phone last week and have an interview at the Job Centre Plus on Monday. But still regardless of, say, JSA for a few weeks (and then another job), they should still pay me all that tax I'm owed at some point from April 6th?

Your JSA will count towards your total income. However if your JSA and work income are less than £6475 you will be due all of the tax back. Exactly when I don't know now that JSA is involved.

synchro_2

Cheers. Also, just to clarify - is it just the "Tax" I would be owed in any event, and not "NI" as well?

CarolynH

synchro wrote: »

Cheers. Also, just to clarify - is it just the "Tax" I would be owed in any event, and not "NI" as well?

Yes. Tax is cumulative, NI is paid on a period by period basis. So no NI back.