Key takeaways
- Employees call HMRC's Income Tax helpline on 0300 200 3300, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for tax codes, refunds and PAYE queries.
- From outside the UK the Income Tax helpline is +44 135 535 9022; text relay users dial 18001 then 0300 200 3300.
- The most common tax code reflects the 2026/27 Personal Allowance of £12,570, which is why it is 1257L.
- HMRC sends P800 tax calculation letters between June and March of the following tax year.
- A P800 refund claimed online is paid within 5 working days; a cheque you ask for takes about 6 weeks.
- You can check your tax code and claim many refunds online through your personal tax account or the HMRC app, without calling.
The HMRC helpline for employees is the Income Tax enquiries line, 0300 200 3300, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and closed on bank holidays. It deals with tax codes, overpaid and underpaid tax, P800 letters and other PAYE pay queries. Many of these jobs are quicker online, through your personal tax account or the HMRC app.
What is the HMRC helpline number for employees?
Employees use HMRC’s Income Tax helpline. The details below are from the HMRC contact page, last updated 19 December 2025 and checked on 6 November 2026.
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone (UK) | 0300 200 3300 |
| Phone (outside the UK) | +44 135 535 9022 |
| Relay UK | 18001 then 0300 200 3300 |
| Hours | Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm |
| Post | Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS |
The same line serves pensioners. It is not the line for employers running payroll; they should use the HMRC employer helpline.
What can the employee helpline help with?
HMRC lists these topics for the Income Tax line:
- tax codes, and overpaid or underpaid tax
- P800 tax calculation letters
- paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge through your wages or pension
- Marriage Allowance, including cancelling a claim
- tax on savings interest, including refunds
- general ISA questions
- proof of UK tax status, such as a certificate of residence
- identity problems when setting up a personal tax account
How do you check or fix your tax code?
You can check your tax code online, in the HMRC app, on your payslip or on a tax code notice letter. HMRC tells your employer which code to use, and your employer deducts tax from your pay using it.
The most common code is 1257L. It reflects the 2026/27 Personal Allowance of £12,570, the amount you can earn before paying Income Tax. If your code is different, HMRC thinks you have other income, benefits or allowances to account for.
If you think your code is wrong, check the details in your personal tax account first. Common causes are a second job, a company car or medical cover that has ended, or an old estimate of your income. You can update many of these online; call 0300 200 3300 if you cannot. Your employer cannot change the code for you.
To see what a code means for your pay, use our salary take-home calculator.
What is a P800 and how do refunds work?
A P800 is HMRC’s tax calculation letter. HMRC sends one if you paid too much or too little tax in a year, for example because you had the wrong tax code, two jobs paid in the same month, or started a workplace pension. GOV.UK says the letters go out between June and March of the following tax year.
If you are owed money, the refund timescales are:
| How you get the refund | When it arrives |
|---|---|
| Claim online by bank transfer | Within 5 working days |
| Ask HMRC to send a cheque | About 6 weeks |
| Automatic cheque, no claim needed | Within 14 days of the letter date |
If you owe tax, HMRC usually collects it through your tax code. If you owe more than £3,000, or the tax cannot be taken from your pay, you may get a Simple Assessment letter instead. Our guide to the P800 letter covers both outcomes.
How to get ready before you call
- Have your National Insurance number to hand.
- Have your latest payslip, P60 or P45, and any HMRC letter with its date.
- Check your address and details are up to date in your personal tax account, as HMRC may ask security questions.
- Be ready to say why you are calling; the line uses speech recognition.
- Write down the adviser’s name and the date of the call.
Which option suits you?
- If you want to check your tax code, sign in to your personal tax account or the HMRC app; see our HMRC online account guide.
- If you have a P800 saying you are due a refund, claim it online for the quickest payment.
- If you claim tax relief on work expenses, use the online claim service on GOV.UK.
- If you cannot sign in, see our guide to GOV.UK One Login for HMRC, or call 0300 200 3300.
- If you are not sure who to call, our HMRC telephone numbers page lists every main line.
HMRC’s digital assistant can answer common PAYE, tax code and refund questions, and can pass you to a webchat adviser if one is free. Before you call, read our guide to the best time to call HMRC.
Frequently asked questions
What number do employees call HMRC on?
Employees call the Income Tax helpline on 0300 200 3300, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. From abroad, call +44 135 535 9022.
Can my employer change my tax code?
No. HMRC decides your tax code and tells your employer which one to use. Contact HMRC if you think it is wrong.
Why is my tax code 1257L?
1257L is the standard code for someone entitled to the full £12,570 Personal Allowance for 2026/27, with no other adjustments.
How long does a P800 refund take?
A refund claimed online is paid within 5 working days. A cheque you ask HMRC to send takes about 6 weeks.
Is there a separate HMRC helpline for pensioners?
No. Pensioners and employees both use the Income Tax helpline, 0300 200 3300.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.