If you earn under a few grand a year, then you do not pay tax, but they may register you anyway, and I think you still pay NI.
Usually when you start a new job you go on what is called an 'emergency' tax code while it is all sorted out for around 2-3 months. This is paid back to you in your wages though once the Inland Revenue issue the correct code to your employer. (Unless it's all cash in hand ;D)
If you stay in this country long enough you can join in the pleasure of taxable 'air' that will appear in the future!! :
You have to realise that whatever you do in this country, some sort of tax will be on it, which is why we are all leaving as soon as we can to places like Spain, South of France, etc. We'll be off to Singapore & Florida to live for 6 months of the year (+1 day, as this then gets you out of the UK tax), when my lad has left school in a year.
