Tax code · 2026/27
C1000L means you can earn £10,000 a year before paying income tax
Tax code C1000L gives you a tax-free personal allowance of £10,000 for the 2026/27 tax year, which is £833 a month or £192 a week. Anything you earn above that is taxed at the Welsh rates, starting at 20%. The number is simply your allowance with the last digit removed.
What does each part of C1000L mean?
- The number 1000 is your allowance divided by 10: 1000 × 10 = £10,000. HMRC actually lets you earn up to £10,009 before tax because the last digit is dropped.
- This allowance is £2,570 lower than the standard £12,570. Common reasons are taxable benefits such as a company car or medical insurance, untaxed income like interest or rent, underpaid tax from an earlier year being collected, or the allowance being tapered because your income is above £100,000.
- The L suffix means you are entitled to the standard tax-free personal allowance, with no marriage allowance adjustment.
- The C prefix means you are a Welsh taxpayer. Welsh rates are currently the same as those in England and Northern Ireland.
How much tax do you pay with code C1000L?
The table shows income tax and take-home pay in 2026/27 for four salaries with code C1000L, compared with the standard code 1257L. National Insurance is not affected by your tax code.
| Salary | Tax with C1000L | Tax on standard code | Take-home with C1000L | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £3,000 | £2,486 | £21,006 | £1,750 |
| £35,000 | £5,000 | £4,486 | £28,206 | £2,350 |
| £50,000 | £8,460 | £7,486 | £38,546 | £3,212 |
| £75,000 | £18,460 | £17,432 | £53,029 | £4,419 |
On £35,000 the effective rate with C1000L is 19.4%, against 17.9% on the standard code, a difference of £514 a year. Use the take-home pay calculator with your own salary, pension and student loan.
Frequently asked questions
Is tax code C1000L correct for me?
Compare C1000L with the standard code 1257L. The difference should match an adjustment you recognise, such as a company benefit, job expenses, Marriage Allowance or an underpayment from an earlier year. If it does not, ask HMRC to review it.
How much tax do I pay on £35,000 with tax code C1000L?
On £35,000 with code C1000L income tax is £5,000 a year in 2026/27, leaving take-home pay of £28,206 (£2,350 a month) after National Insurance of £1,794. On the standard code it would be £4,486.
How do I change tax code C1000L?
You cannot change it yourself; only HMRC can issue a new code. Update your details in your HMRC Personal Tax Account or call 0300 200 3300 with your National Insurance number and details of your income and benefits. HMRC sends the new code to your employer and any tax overpaid in the year is refunded through your pay.
What does the C prefix mean?
The C prefix means HMRC has recorded your main home as being in Wales. The Welsh Government sets Welsh rates, which are currently the same as England's, so the code makes no difference to your tax today.
Related calculators and guides
- Tax Code ExplainerType in your tax code and find out what it means and whether it looks right.
- Take-Home Pay CalculatorSee exactly what lands in your bank account after tax, NI, pension and student loan.
- Pay Rise CalculatorFind out how much of a raise you keep after tax, NI, pension and student loan.
- Pension Contribution CalculatorSee the tax relief on your contributions and the real cost of paying into your pension.
- Student Loan Repayment CalculatorMonthly repayments, years to clear and whether your loan will be written off first.
- Pro Rata Salary CalculatorScale a full-time salary to part-time hours and see the take-home pay.
- GuideThe personal allowance taper and the 60% tax trap
- GuideUK tax codes explained