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Payslip FAQs

 

Your payslip will be uploaded to the SmartPortal. This payslip offers a thorough breakdown of your payment. We have a comprehensive guide at this link that explains the components shown on your payslip and the order in which they are deducted.

What are the most common tax codes?

  • 1257L: Standard tax-free allowance of £12,570 for the 2026/27 tax year
  • NT: No tax deducted
  • 0T: Full income taxed – P45 or P46 not provided
  • BR: 20% tax on second income
  • D0: 40% tax on higher-rate second income
  • D1: 45% tax on income
  • Wk1/Mth1 (Emergency Code): Equal tax-free allowance applied per pay period

Why do I pay Employer’s National Insurance and the Apprenticeship Levy?

These are standard employment costs covered by the assignment rate, which is the total amount SmartWork receives for your work. This includes:

  • Employer’s NI
  • Apprenticeship Levy
  • Employer’s pension contributions

These costs are not deducted from your take-home pay. They are accounted for separately and are explained in your Key Information Document (KID).

For more details, visit the HMRC website.

How do I opt out of the workplace pension?

You’ll receive details from The People’s Pension Group by email. If you haven’t received this, please email: payroll@smartwork.com

Will all my tax liabilities be taken care of?

Yes. SmartWork pays all:

  • VAT
  • PAYE
  • National Insurance
    … directly to HMRC on your behalf.

To find out about the current rates and earnings thresholds for PAYE and NICs, please refer to the following HMRC links:

– England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates
– Scotland: https://www.gov.uk/scottish-income-tax

I think I’m on the wrong tax code – what should I do?

Contact HMRC directly on 0300 200 3300. They will issue SmartWork with a revised code.

Why is my home address on my employment contract?

This allows you to work at multiple sites without needing a new contract each time you move.

Do I need to upload timesheets to both my agency and SmartWork?

Yes — unless your agency uses a self-billing system, in which case they pay SmartWork directly without the need for invoicing.

What if I don’t have my P45?

You will complete an NSC (New Starter Checklist) during the SmartWork registration.

Student Loan Repayments

Which repayment plan are you currently enrolled in? The method and timing of your loan repayment will be determined by the start date of your course. Your repayment amount is based on your income, not the amount you borrowed. It is important to inform your employer about your repayment plan so that they can deduct the correct amount from your salary.

Below are the two main repayment plans. For further information on student loans, including postgraduate loans and the interest rates you are charged, please visit the government’s website by clicking on this link.

Repayment Plan 1  – if you began your course before 1 September 2012.

In this case, you will start repaying your loan in April, after you complete or leave your course. Repayments will only start if your income exceeds the repayment threshold, currently (2026/27) £26,900 per year, £2,241.67 per month, or £517.30 per week in the UK. If your income falls below the threshold, repayments will stop and resume once your income rises above it again.

Your repayment amount will be 9% of your income above the repayment threshold. If your income changes, whether it increases or decreases, your repayment amounts will automatically adjust accordingly.

You have the option to make voluntary repayments to the Student Loans Company (SLC) at any time.

Repayment plan 2 – If your course started between 1 September 2012 and 31 July 2023

If you are a full-time student, your loan repayment will begin in April after you complete or leave your course. If you are studying a HE Short Course Loan, loan repayment will start in April after the course ends. Please contact your university or college to determine this date.

If you are a part-time student, loan repayment will commence in April after you finish or leave your course or in April four years after the course start date (whichever comes first), even if you are still studying.

Repayments will begin only if your income exceeds the repayment threshold, currently (2026/27) £29,385 per year, £2,448.75 per month, or £565.09 per week in the UK. If your income falls below this threshold, repayments will stop and resume only when your income rises above it again.

Your repayment amount will be 9% of your income above the repayment threshold. If your income changes, whether it increases or decreases, your repayment amounts will automatically adjust accordingly.

You can make additional voluntary repayments to SLC at any time.

Need Help?

If you have questions about your payslip, tax code, or deductions, our payroll team is here to help:

📧 payroll@smartwork.com
📞 0800 434 6446

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