Everything you need to know about UK take-home pay and income tax.
You get a personal allowance of £12,570 tax-free (2025/26). Income between £12,571–£50,270 is taxed at 20% (basic rate). Income between £50,271–£125,140 is taxed at 40% (higher rate). Income above £125,140 is taxed at 45% (additional rate). Your personal allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 you earn over £100,000, disappearing entirely at £125,140.
National Insurance (NI) is a tax on earnings that funds the state pension and NHS. For employees in 2025/26: you pay 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 per year, and 2% on earnings above £50,270. There is no NI on earnings below £12,570.
Yes. Workplace pension contributions made via salary sacrifice or relief at source reduce your taxable income before tax is calculated. This means if you earn £50,000 and contribute 5% (£2,500) to your pension, you only pay income tax on £47,500 — saving you £500 in tax at the basic rate.
Student loan repayments are deducted from your salary after tax. The repayment threshold and rate depend on your plan: Plan 1 (before Sept 2012) — 9% on earnings above £24,990. Plan 2 (after Sept 2012) — 9% on earnings above £27,295. Plan 4 (Scotland) — 9% on earnings above £31,395. Plan 5 (from Aug 2023) — 9% on earnings above £25,000.
The standard personal allowance for 2025/26 is £12,570. This is the amount you can earn before paying income tax. However, if you earn over £100,000, your personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 above that threshold, reaching zero at £125,140.
This calculator uses the official 2025/26 UK tax rates from HMRC including income tax bands, National Insurance thresholds, and student loan repayment rates. It covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has different income tax rates — a Scottish tax calculator will be available soon. Always verify important financial decisions with HMRC or a qualified accountant.
Your gross salary is your total pay before any deductions. Your net salary (take-home pay) is what you actually receive after income tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and any student loan repayments have been deducted. This calculator shows you exactly how your gross salary breaks down into net pay.
On a £30,000 salary in 2025/26 (England/Wales/NI), you would pay approximately £3,486 in income tax (20% on £17,430 above the personal allowance) and £1,394 in National Insurance (8% on £17,430). Your total take-home pay would be approximately £25,120 per year or £2,093 per month.
Disclaimer: This calculator uses 2025/26 UK tax rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Figures are estimates for guidance only and may not reflect your exact circumstances including your specific tax code,
employer pension contributions, or other allowances. Always verify important financial decisions with
HMRC
or a qualified financial adviser.