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Introduction to the tax system

Updated on 18 April 2023

Tax basics

Here, we briefly explain what tax is and who HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are.

Illustration of people on a computer with tax paperwork

What is tax?

Tax is a ‘financial charge’ or deduction from something you get or own, or an additional cost added to something you buy. It is not a penalty or fine for doing something wrong. Normally, governments collect taxes so that there is a pot of money to spend for the benefit of society as a whole. This might be for law enforcement, including the police and courts, infrastructure, like roads and pathways, and administration.

The UK government also uses tax to fund various public services, including healthcare and welfare benefits.

The UK has many taxes. Some are known as ‘direct’ taxes if they are levied on the income or profits of the person who pays it, rather than on goods and services. The main example is income tax, which you can see being taken from your pay or have to pay direct to HMRC. Other direct taxes include corporation tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

There are also ‘indirect’ taxes, which are levied on goods and services. The most well-known example of an indirect tax is value added tax (VAT). This is less obvious than a direct tax as it is included in the price of things that you buy.

National Insurance is not strictly a tax. It was originally a contributions-based system of insurance for support from the government in times of need such as ill-health, disability or retirement, paid by workers and employers. The link between individual contributions and benefits has gradually weakened, but the number of years for which you make National Insurance contributions still affects some welfare benefits, including your entitlement to the state pension.

Who collects tax?

HMRC are the UK tax authority. They are responsible for collecting and managing most UK taxes. They also interact with other government organisations – for example, they collect most student loan repayments. These are not a tax; they are repayments towards money that students have borrowed in the past. However, because they are calculated as a deduction from income, the tax system is a convenient way to collect them.

What is the HMRC Charter?

You can find HMRC’s Charter on GOV.UK. The charter, which was re-written in November 2020, sets out the standards of behaviour and values that HMRC should aspire to in their dealings with people and businesses using their services.

HMRC also have a Personal Information Charter, which explains what personal information they can collect about you, how they may collect the information and what they use it for.

Where can I find more information?

You can find out more information about what HMRC do and their responsibilities on GOV.UK.

Tax guides

Introduction to the tax system How do I work out my tax? What income is taxable? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What tax rates apply to me? How is my tax collected? What if I cannot pay my tax bill? Do I need to complete a tax return? Self Assessment: understanding the basics What is Simple Assessment? How do I claim tax back? How do I claim back tax I have overpaid through PAYE on wages or pensions? How do I claim back tax if I complete a tax return? How do I claim back tax if I am taxed under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)? How do I claim back tax on savings income? How do I claim a marriage allowance refund? How do I claim back tax on a payment protection insurance (PPI) pay-out? Should I use a tax refund company? What is National Insurance? How do I get a National Insurance number? What are Specified Adult Childcare credits? What is Scottish income tax? What is devolution? Do I have to pay Scottish income tax? How does Scottish income tax work? What is Welsh income tax? Do I have to pay Welsh income tax? Do I have to join a pension scheme? Tax relief on your pension contributions HMRC digital services Enquiries, penalties, appeals, complaints and debt Enquiries How to survive an enquiry by HMRC Tax penalties Tax appeals Alternative Dispute Resolution How do I complain to HMRC? What if I cannot pay my tax bill? What if I have a tax credits overpayment?
Am I employed, self-employed, both or neither? Working through a limited company What is the national minimum wage? How do I work out my tax? What income is taxable? What tax allowances am I entitled to? What tax rates apply to me? How is my tax collected? How is tax collected on taxable state benefits? How do I check my coding notice? Do I need to complete a tax return? What tax do I pay on redundancy payments?Employment benefits and expenses What are benefits-in-kind? What payments and benefits are non taxable? What if I incur expenses in relation to my job? What travel expenses can I claim? What if I use my own car for business purposes? Payroll giving Allowances and expenses paid to armed forces personnel and deductions from their income Pensions and employees What is automatic enrolment for employees? What National Insurance do I pay as an employee? How do I repay my student loan? What if I do not pay enough tax? What if I pay too much tax? What if I work abroad temporarily? What if I am in the armed forces and work overseas? First time workers Apprenticeships

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