Why You Should Check Your Payslip Before Payday

Most people glance at their payslip after they’ve already been paid — but by then, it’s often too late to fix any mistakes. Checking your payslip before payday is one of the simplest ways to avoid underpayments, tax issues, or unexpected deductions. Here’s why it matters and what to look for.

💡 Why Checking Early Matters

Payroll errors can happen even in the best-run companies.
Spotting them before payday means:

• You can get mistakes fixed before money hits your account
• You avoid being underpaid for a full month
• Incorrect tax or NI deductions can be corrected instantly
• You keep your year-end P60 accurate and consistent

A 30-second review each month saves hours of chasing problems later.

🔍 1. Check Your Personal Details

Make sure the basics are right:

• Name spelled correctly
• National Insurance number
• Tax code
• Employee number (if relevant)

If these are wrong, your tax or NI could be calculated incorrectly.

💰 2. Confirm Your Gross Pay

Check that your salary, hourly rate, or overtime is accurate and reflects:

• Contracted pay
• Overtime hours
• Bonuses
• Commission
• Holiday or sick pay

A single typo can mean missing a chunk of your wages.

🧾 3. Review Tax and NI Deductions

Confirm your Income Tax and National Insurance look consistent with previous months.
Red flags include:

• Sudden increases
• Becoming “untaxed” unexpectedly
• A tax code change you didn’t request

If something unusual appears, query it immediately.

🎓 4. Check Additional Deductions

Payslips often include extra deductions — some expected, some not:

• Pension contributions
• Student loan repayments
• Company benefits
• Child maintenance
• Union fees

If any deduction looks unfamiliar or too high, ask payroll before payday.

📊 5. Make Sure YTD Totals Make Sense

Your payslip usually shows Year-to-Date (YTD) totals.
These should gradually increase in a logical way each month.

If the totals jump unexpectedly, it may indicate a payroll correction — or an error.

🧠 Pro Tip: Keep a Running Record

Save each payslip (digital or paper) in a secure folder.
Comparing month-to-month makes spotting issues much easier — and helps you cross-check your annual P60 later.

🔗 Internal Links

• ➡️ See exactly what belongs on a payslip: What Should Be on a Payslip.
• ➡️ Break down each deduction: Payslip Deductions Explained.
• ➡️ Having issues? Read our guide on Payslip Errors and Fixes.

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