Before you sign a UK offer

Keep the offer letter beside you. Tick each item once you have a clear answer; the ticks stay in this tab only.

0 of 6 checked

Confirm the annual grossUK offers are quoted annually. Check whether a bonus, car allowance or London weighting is included in the figure or paid separately.
Ask about the pensionWhat does the employer contribute, and is it more than the automatic enrolment minimum? Ask whether contributions are made through salary sacrifice, which also saves National Insurance.
Check your tax code on the first payslipA new starter without a P45 may be put on an emergency code. Compare the code with your circumstances and ask HMRC to correct it if needed.
Tell your employer about student loansYour employer needs your plan type to deduct repayments. Deductions made on the wrong plan are refunded later, but not quickly.
Confirm where you will liveLiving in Scotland changes your Income Tax. It depends on where you live, not where your employer is based.
Ask about the notice period and probationContractual notice is often longer than the statutory minimum, and probation terms can differ. Check both before you resign from your current job.

Questions before you sign

What is salary sacrifice?

An agreement to give up part of your salary in exchange for a benefit, usually a pension contribution, so the sacrificed amount avoids Income Tax and National Insurance. It lowers your gross, which can affect other things linked to it.

Do I need a National Insurance number before I start?

You can start work without one, but you should apply as soon as you can so contributions are recorded against you.

Sources for the United Kingdom

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Take-home pay in the United Kingdom