Thousands of students and school leavers are expected to start summer jobs over the coming weeks, but HMRC says many young workers are doing so without understanding the basics of tax.
A new survey has found that 40% of Generation Z wish they had learnt more about tax earlier, prompting HM Revenue & Customs to encourage anyone taking on seasonal work to download its free app before their first payday.
The app gives workers instant access to key information they may need when starting a new job, including their National Insurance number, tax code, employment history and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) details.
It also allows users to check how much they'll be paid before their wages arrive, helping them budget and spot any potential problems with their pay.
HMRC says an average of 3.4 million people aged 18 to 24 worked during the summer months last year, making seasonal work one of the first introductions many young people have to the UK's tax system.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: "Downloading the HMRC app gives young people an advantage in understanding their tax affairs with instant access to information that can help demystify money matters.
"Young people looking for their first job may not even be aware of what tax information they need. Having the HMRC app to hand will make it a lot easier."
The research suggests young people are already embracing digital tools to manage their finances.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds who already use the HMRC app:
- 33% use it to check their tax code, employment history and income.
- 26% have saved their National Insurance number to their digital wallet.
- 20% say they use it when starting a new job or changing employers.
More than 627,000 people aged 16 to 25 downloaded and used the HMRC app for the first time during the last financial year, while more than 1.2 million people have stored their National Insurance number digitally since the feature launched in 2023.
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What can you do on the HMRC app?
The app allows users to:
- View their National Insurance number.
- Check their tax code.
- See employment and PAYE records.
- View estimated pay before payday.
- Keep track of tax information in one place.
HMRC is also reminding anyone starting work this summer to check they are being paid at least the National Minimum Wage. Anyone who believes they are being underpaid can raise concerns with HMRC or ACAS.
With thousands preparing for their first payslip, tax experts say spending a few minutes checking your details before starting work could help avoid delays, incorrect tax codes and problems accessing your National Insurance number later.
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