How to read a payslip and spot mistakes

Here is a straightforward look at this topic for HubCage.

A payslip has three parts that matter: gross pay, deductions and net pay. Check that the gross figure matches your contract and any overtime, that the tax code is the one the authority issued to you, and that pension contributions are the percentage you agreed. Errors are common after a job change or a pay rise, and they are much easier to fix in the same month.

Keep every payslip for at least six years, in a folder or a scanned copy. They prove your income for a mortgage or a visa, support a tax query and settle disputes about holiday pay. If a number looks wrong, write to payroll with the specific line and the figure you expected; a polite, precise email is usually resolved within a pay cycle.