How your take-home pay is worked out (2026/27)
In the UK, your take-home pay is your gross salary minus two main deductions: Income Tax and National Insurance (NI). This calculator uses the official rates for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 – 5 April 2027) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Income Tax bands
Everyone gets a tax-free Personal Allowance of £12,570. You only pay Income Tax on income above that:
| Band | Taxable income | 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 (employee, Class 1)
Employees pay Class 1 National Insurance on earnings above the Primary Threshold:
- Nothing on earnings up to £12,570 a year
- 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270
- 2% on earnings above £50,270
Example: £35,000 salary
On a £35,000 gross salary, roughly £4,486 goes to Income Tax (20% on £22,430 above the allowance) and about £1,794 to National Insurance (8% on £22,430) — leaving a take-home of around £28,720 a year, or about £2,393 a month. Use the calculator above for your own figure.
What this calculator does not include
- Scotland has different Income Tax bands — these figures are for England, Wales & Northern Ireland.
- Pension contributions, student loan repayments, salary sacrifice and other deductions are not included in this basic estimate.
- Tax code adjustments, benefits in kind, and multiple jobs can change your actual figure.
Frequently asked questions
What is take-home pay?
Take-home pay (also called net pay) is the amount that actually lands in your bank account after Income Tax and National Insurance are deducted from your gross salary.
When does the 2026/27 tax year run?
The UK tax year runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. Rates and thresholds are set by the government and can change each year.
Why is my real payslip slightly different?
Your employer may also deduct a workplace pension, student loan repayments or other items, and your tax code may differ from the standard 1257L. This tool gives a clean estimate based on Income Tax and National Insurance only.
Does this include Scotland?
No. Scottish taxpayers have different Income Tax bands and rates. This calculator uses the rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
More United Kingdom calculators
This calculator provides estimates for the 2026/27 tax year (England, Wales & Northern Ireland) based on published HMRC rates and is for general information only — it is not financial or tax advice. Your actual pay depends on your tax code, pension, student loan and other factors. For your exact position, check GOV.UK or speak to a qualified adviser. Rates source: GOV.UK (Income Tax rates & National Insurance thresholds 2026/27).