Pick any two UK PAYE tax codes and we will line up the allowance, emergency status, region and approximate annual tax on a £30,000 salary so you can see exactly how they differ.
Last updated 2026-04-12
| Attribute | S1257L M1 | 1185L |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Emergency | Historical |
| Region | Scotland | rUK |
| Allowance | £12,570 | £11,850 |
| Emergency / non-cumulative | Yes | No |
| Approx. annual tax on £30k | £3,486 | £3,630 |
| In one sentence | Scottish taxpayer version of 1257L - same allowance logic, but Scottish income-tax rates apply. on a non-cumulative (M1) basis. | Standard allowance for tax year 2018/19: £11,850. |
Bottom line on £30k
On a £30,000 salary, S1257L M1 deducts roughly £3,486 in income tax per year vs £3,630 for 1185L. That is a difference of £144 per year - S1257L M1 is less expensive.
Hand-picked side-by-sides that answer the most-searched UK tax-code questions.
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