Your first payslip explained

Getting your first payslip is a big milestone but it can also look confusing at first. There are lots of numbers, codes and deductions that aren't always obvious, but understanding them all will help you feel more confident managing your money and in spotting potential mistakes.

Our video covers the basics of what a payslip is and how taxes work. This article goes a step further, explaining the deductions on your payslip, how to check everything looks correct, and who to contact if something doesn't.

How to actually check your payslip is right

You don't need to be a payroll expert to spot a problem, just check:

• Your name, National Insurance number, and pay date are all correct
• Your tax code matches what you'd expect
• Tax deductions don’t look unusually high – a huge, unexplained jump in tax taken is worth questioning
• Gross pay matches your contracted hours or salary for that period

What if something doesn’t look right?

Start with your employer's payroll or HR team. Most payslip errors are simple admin mistakes and get fixed quickly once flagged. If it's specifically about your tax code and payroll can't resolve it, HMRC is who actually owns that. You can check or query your code directly through your Personal Tax Account

Don't just quietly assume it'll sort itself out. Overpaid tax can usually be reclaimed, but the sooner you flag something, the sooner it gets fixed.

So, what are all the things you’re checking and where can you find them?

Let's break down the main things you'll see on a typical payslip.

Your first payslip is the start of your earning journey, so taking the time to understand it now is a skill that will help you throughout your working life.