PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
pee-ay-why-EE
Formal Neutral
What it really means
The system where your employer takes income tax and National Insurance out of your pay before you get it, and sends it to HMRC. Most employees are on PAYE and never file a tax return. You can see the deductions on your payslip.
Chinese explanation
PAYE（随赚随缴）：雇主在发工资前先扣除所得税和国民保险，再上缴给 HMRC 的制度。大多数雇员走 PAYE，无需自行报税。扣款项目会显示在工资单上。
Example conversation
A: Do I have to sort out my own tax?
B: No, you are on PAYE — it comes out of your wages automatically.
A：我需要自己处理税务吗？
B：不用，你走 PAYE——税会从工资里自动扣掉。
Official sources
Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.
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· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake