Free tool · 2026/27
Income tax & take-home pay calculator
See exactly what you keep from your salary after income tax, National Insurance and pension. Add a bonus or change your pension to see the difference instantly.
Take-home pay calculator
England, Wales & NI · 2026/27 tax year
- Take-home pay £27,460
- Income tax £4,136
- National Insurance £1,654
- Pension £1,750
Estimate for a standard tax code, England/Wales/NI. Assumes pension paid by salary sacrifice (reduces tax and NI). Excludes student loans. Scotland has different income tax bands.
How your pay is taxed in the UK
For 2026/27, the first £12,570 you earn is tax-free (your personal allowance). You then pay 20% income tax up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140, and 45% above that. On top of income tax, employees pay 8% National Insurance between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above.
Earning over £100,000 quietly removes your personal allowance — £1 for every £2 — creating an effective 60% tax trap between £100,000 and £125,140. Paying more into a pension is the usual way to sidestep it.
Want to plan further? Try the mortgage calculator to see what your take-home pay supports, the budget planner to map your outgoings, or the inflation calculator to check whether your pay has kept up with the cost of living.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my salary do I take home?
Enter your salary above to see your exact take-home pay. As a rough guide, on a £35,000 salary you keep most of it after the personal allowance, then pay 20% income tax and 8% National Insurance on earnings above £12,570.
How is take-home pay calculated?
We apply the 2026/27 personal allowance (£12,570), income tax bands (20%, 40%, 45%), and employee National Insurance (8% then 2%), then subtract any pension contribution. Earnings over £100,000 taper the personal allowance.
Does a pension contribution increase my take-home pay?
It reduces your take-home pay because the money goes into your pension instead — but through salary sacrifice it also cuts your income tax and National Insurance, so it costs you less than the amount saved. Try changing the pension percentage to see the effect.
How is a bonus taxed?
A bonus is added to your salary and taxed at your highest rate, so a large bonus can push part of your income into a higher tax band or even taper your personal allowance if it takes you over £100,000.
Is this calculator right for Scotland?
Scotland sets its own income tax bands, so Scottish taxpayers pay slightly different amounts. This calculator uses the England, Wales and Northern Ireland bands. National Insurance is the same across the UK.
Estimates for the 2026/27 tax year, England, Wales & Northern Ireland, standard tax code. Not a substitute for professional tax advice.