UK Income Tax Calculator
Calculate take-home pay after Income Tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan repayments. Free, no sign-up, results update as you type.
Income Details
Take-Home Pay (2026-27)
Monthly Take-Home
£3,405
Annual Take-Home
£40,862
Income Tax
£8,332
National Insurance
£3,056
Student Loan
£0
Pension
£2,750
Effective Rate
20.70%
For estimation only. Not professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making decisions. Full disclaimer.
UK Income Tax 2026-27 (England, Wales, NI)
Rates and thresholds are published by HM Revenue & Customs (Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances).
| Band | Income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic Rate | £12,570 – £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher Rate | £50,270 – £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional Rate | Above £125,140 | 45% |
Personal Allowance tapers £1 for every £2 earned above £100,000 — you lose it entirely above £125,140, creating an effective 60% marginal rate in the £100k-£125k band.
National Insurance (Class 1 employee)
- 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270
- 2% on earnings above £50,270
Scotland has its own income tax bands — not covered by this calculator.
Common questions about Income Tax
What are the 2026-27 UK tax bands?+
Personal Allowance: £12,570 (tapered above £100k). Basic rate 20% on £12,570-£50,270. Higher rate 40% on £50,270-£125,140. Additional rate 45% above £125,140. Scotland has its own rates.
What is National Insurance?+
NI funds state pension and benefits. Class 1 (employee): 8% on earnings £12,570-£50,270, 2% above. Employer also pays NI separately (not deducted from your salary).
What is salary sacrifice for pension?+
You give up some salary in exchange for an employer pension contribution. You save Income Tax AND NI on the sacrificed amount — typically 12% more efficient than contributing post-tax.
How does the Personal Allowance taper work?+
Above £100,000 income, your £12,570 Personal Allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 earned, disappearing entirely at £125,140. This creates an effective 60% marginal tax rate on income between £100k-£125,140 (40% income tax + 20% PA withdrawal). Mitigate via pension contributions — £1 into pension at this band saves ~60p tax, making pension the single best tax-planning tool for high earners. Gift Aid charitable donations have the same effect.
Are Scotland's tax bands different?+
Yes, significantly. Scottish rates for 2026-27: Starter 19% (£12,571-£14,876), Basic 20% (to £26,561), Intermediate 21% (to £43,662), Higher 42% (to £75,000), Advanced 45% (to £125,140), Top 48% (above). Scottish taxpayers pay more than UK-wide rates at every band above basic. Only applies to non-savings, non-dividend income — Scots pay UK-wide rates on interest and dividends. Determined by your main residence address for most of the tax year.
Do I need to file a Self-Assessment return?+
Required if: self-employed earning £1,000+, rental income £1,000+, untaxed savings/dividends above allowances, total income £150,000+, income above £100k triggering PA taper, capital gains above £3,000 allowance, or you're a company director. Deadlines: 31 October for paper, 31 January for online. Penalties: £100 immediate, then escalating. HMRC's tax-filing is usually within the PAYE for standard employees — only file if you fall into these triggers.