Like all employees, unfortunately, you will have to pay tax! Income tax, or PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is calculated when pay rises above a minimum level, known as the tax threshold, set by the Government. Once your earnings have reached this level, tax is deducted from wages on a weekly basis, via the PAYE system. Under this system, the employer will deduct the amount due, and pay it to HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs) and, in so doing, ensure that tax is always fully paid up.
The employer is only allowed to make deductions from the salary for income tax and National Insurance contributions with prior consent. However, where relevant (e.g. pension plans, tool purchase, laundry schemes, etc.), as an apprentice, you may authorise employers to make other deductions from your wages, as required.