Letter Helper
Paste a letter — from the bank, HMRC, an insurer, the school — and we'll explain what it actually means, in plain English, and draft a reply you can send.
The letter
HMRC — PAYE Tax Code Notice
HM Revenue & Customs PAYE Tax Code Notice Dear Mr J. Okafor, We are writing to tell you that your tax code for the tax year 2025–26 has been changed to 1185L. This new code will be used by your employer to work out how much income tax to deduct from your pay. The change reflects an adjustment to your personal allowance following an underpayment of £214.40 from a previous tax year, which we will collect by reducing your tax-free allowance over the coming year. If you think this code is wrong, please contact us within 30 days using the details below or via your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk. Yours sincerely, HMRC
What it actually means
• HMRC has changed James's tax code to 1185L for 2025–26. • The change is because of an underpayment of £214.40 from a previous year. • Rather than asking for the money back in one go, they're collecting it gradually by reducing his tax-free allowance. • His monthly take-home pay will be slightly lower as a result. • If he disagrees, he has 30 days to contest it via gov.uk or by phone.
Draft reply
Hello, I've received the PAYE Tax Code Notice dated this week confirming my new code of 1185L for the 2025–26 tax year. I understand the adjustment relates to an underpayment of £214.40 from a previous year, and that it will be collected over the coming year via my tax-free allowance. I'm happy to proceed on that basis and don't need to contest the change. Please could you confirm that no further action is needed from me. Many thanks, James Okafor