Take Home Pay Calculator
UK salary after income tax & National Insurance — 2026/27
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Your Take Home Pay — 2026/27
Gross salary—
Income Tax—
National Insurance—
Student Loan—
Pension—
Effective tax rate—
Annual take home—
Monthly
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Weekly
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📅 Based on 2026/27 rates. Personal allowance: £12,570. Basic rate 20% to £50,270. Higher rate 40% to £125,140. Additional rate 45% above £125,140.
How is Take Home Pay Calculated?
Your take home pay (net pay) is your gross salary minus income tax, National Insurance contributions, any student loan repayments and pension contributions.
UK Income Tax Bands 2026/27
| Band | Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic Rate | £12,571 – £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher Rate | £50,271 – £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional Rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
National Insurance 2026/27
Employees pay 8% NI on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on earnings above £50,270. NI is separate from income tax and is calculated on your gross pay before pension deductions.
Student Loan Repayments
Student loan repayments are taken at 9% above your plan's threshold: Plan 1 (£24,990), Plan 2 (£27,295), Plan 4 Scotland (£31,395), Plan 5 (£25,000). Repayments are automatic through PAYE.
Pension Contributions
Pension contributions made under salary sacrifice reduce your taxable pay, saving income tax and National Insurance. The minimum auto-enrolment pension is 5% employee contribution (with 3% from your employer).
Frequently Asked Questions
On a £30,000 salary in 2026/27 you pay approximately £3,486 in income tax (20% on earnings above the £12,570 personal allowance) and around £1,394 in National Insurance (8% between £12,570 and £30,000). Your approximate take home pay is £25,120 per year, or £2,093 per month.
The personal allowance for 2026/27 is £12,570. This is the amount you can earn before paying any income tax. It has been frozen at this level since 2021/22 and is due to remain frozen until 2028. If you earn over £100,000, your personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 above £100,000.
Legal ways to reduce your income tax include: making pension contributions (which reduce your taxable pay), claiming the marriage allowance if applicable, using salary sacrifice schemes for benefits, ensuring you claim all allowable work expenses, and maximising ISA contributions which shelter investment returns from tax.
Yes. Workplace pension contributions made through salary sacrifice reduce your gross pay before tax is calculated, saving both income tax and National Insurance. For a basic rate taxpayer contributing 5% (£1,750) on a £35,000 salary, this saves approximately £350 in income tax and £140 in NI per year.
The higher rate income tax threshold for 2026/27 is £50,270. Earnings between £12,571 and £50,270 are taxed at 20% (basic rate). Earnings between £50,271 and £125,140 are taxed at 40% (higher rate). Earnings above £125,140 are taxed at 45% (additional rate).