Why have I been emergency taxed even though on maternity leave?

[ephrinedaily]

Can anyone think of a reason why this would happen? I'm assuming 543L is still the emergency tax code. Have been on ML for 5 months, just come to the end of the contractual maternity payments and now on SMP. Any thoughts? Thanks.

No idea but have you asked your payroll department or whoever does your wages?

Tried but got voicemail, they are notoriously incompetent and 3 different people have held the post of my department's payroll rep since I notified them of mat leave. Just want to check in case they ever call me back...

543L is the tax code everyone has unless you get taxed higher or lower than that. DH & I are both on that tax code and most of the people in my office

Are you asking whether you should still be paying tax?

If you are asking whether you should be paying tax, then yes maternity pay is taxable income.

Oops am so generally infuriated with them that I didn't stop to check my facts (not like me!) Will check with tax office again. Thanks for quick responses.