UK salary calculator 2026/27
Enter your salary to see exactly what lands in your bank account each year, month and week — after Income Tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan. Updated for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027).
How your take-home pay is worked out
Your take-home (net) pay is your gross salary minus four main deductions. This calculator applies them in the same order as a UK payroll for the 2026/27 tax year.
1. Income Tax
Most people get a tax-free personal allowance of £12,570. Income above that is taxed in bands. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
| Band | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571 to £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271 to £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
Scotland sets its own rates on earned income:
| Band | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Starter rate | £12,571 to £16,537 | 19% |
| Basic rate | £16,538 to £29,526 | 20% |
| Intermediate rate | £29,527 to £43,662 | 21% |
| Higher rate | £43,663 to £75,000 | 42% |
| Advanced rate | £75,001 to £125,140 | 45% |
| Top rate | Over £125,140 | 48% |
If you earn over £100,000, your personal allowance falls by £1 for every £2 above that limit. This creates an effective 60% tax rate between £100,000 and £125,140 (or higher in Scotland). Paying more into your pension is a common way to bring your income back under £100,000.
2. National Insurance
Employees pay Class 1 National Insurance of 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 a year, and 2% on everything above £50,270. National Insurance is the same in every part of the UK.
3. Pension contributions
Under auto-enrolment most employees pay at least 5% into a workplace pension. With a net pay arrangement the contribution is taken before Income Tax, so you get tax relief straight away. With salary sacrifice your salary is reduced before both tax and National Insurance, which saves you more.
4. Student loan repayments
You repay 9% of income above your plan's threshold and 6% above £21,000 for a postgraduate loan. The 2026/27 thresholds are £26,900 (Plan 1), £29,385 (Plan 2), £33,795 (Plan 4) and £25,000 (Plan 5).
Examples for 2026/27
For someone in England with no pension or student loan:
| Salary | Income Tax | NI | Take-home a year | A month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | £1,486 | £594.40 | £17,919.60 | £1,493.30 |
| £25,000 | £2,486 | £994.40 | £21,519.60 | £1,793.30 |
| £30,000 | £3,486 | £1,394.40 | £25,119.60 | £2,093.30 |
| £40,000 | £5,486 | £2,194.40 | £32,319.60 | £2,693.30 |
| £50,000 | £7,486 | £2,994.40 | £39,519.60 | £3,293.30 |
| £60,000 | £11,432 | £3,210.60 | £45,357.40 | £3,779.78 |
| £100,000 | £27,432 | £4,010.60 | £68,557.40 | £5,713.12 |
Assumes tax code 1257L, a regular annual salary and calculations on an annual basis. Payroll works out deductions each pay period, so individual payslips can differ by a few pence.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on £30,000 in 2026/27?
On a £30,000 salary in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you pay £3,486 Income Tax and £1,394.40 National Insurance, leaving take-home pay of £25,119.60 a year (about £2,093 a month), before any pension or student loan deductions.
What is the personal allowance for 2026/27?
The standard personal allowance is £12,570. It is reduced by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income over £100,000, so it disappears completely at £125,140.
Why is my take-home pay different from this calculator?
Your payslip may differ if you have a non-standard tax code (for example because of a company car or unpaid tax), are paid irregularly, receive bonuses, or have other deductions. This calculator assumes the standard 1257L tax code and a regular salary.
What is the difference between salary sacrifice and a net pay pension?
Both take your pension contribution before Income Tax. Salary sacrifice also reduces the pay that National Insurance and student loan repayments are based on, so it usually saves you more. A net pay arrangement reduces Income Tax only.
Does this calculator include Scottish income tax?
Yes. Choose Scotland to use the six Scottish bands for 2026/27: 19% starter, 20% basic, 21% intermediate, 42% higher, 45% advanced and 48% top rate. National Insurance is the same across the UK.
Last checked 5 October 2026.