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Tax & IncomeUK Salary & Tax Explained: How Much Do You Actually Take Home? (2026)
10 min read · Updated March 2026
Most people in the UK have no idea how their payslip is calculated. You see a gross salary, then a (smaller) number lands in your bank — with several mysterious deductions in between. This guide explains every line, so you know exactly what you're keeping and why.
What we cover:
1. Personal Allowance
Every UK adult can earn up to £12,570/year completely tax-free. This is the Personal Allowance — it hasn't changed since 2021/22 and is frozen until at least 2028, which means fiscal drag is quietly pushing more people into higher tax bands as wages rise.
If you earn over £100,000, your Personal Allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 above £100k. At £125,140, your allowance is zero — meaning you effectively pay 60% tax on income between £100k and £125,140.
2. Income Tax Bands 2025/26
Income tax in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland works in bands. You only pay each rate on the income within that band — not on your entire salary.
| 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% |
💡 Scotland has different rates — Scottish taxpayers pay a starter rate (19%), basic rate (20%), intermediate rate (21%), higher rate (42%), advanced rate (45%), and top rate (48%). Check your tax code to confirm which rates apply to you.
3. National Insurance
National Insurance (NI) is a separate deduction to income tax. For employed workers in 2025/26:
| Earnings per year | Employee NI rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| £12,571 – £50,270 | 8% |
| Over £50,270 | 2% |
Your employer also pays NI at 13.8% on your earnings above £9,100 — this doesn't appear on your payslip but is part of the total cost of employing you.
4. Student Loan Repayments
Student loan repayments are deducted via PAYE if you earn above the repayment threshold for your plan:
| Plan | Who's on it | Repayment threshold | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | Pre-2012 students | £24,990/yr | 9% |
| Plan 2 | 2012–2023 England/Wales | £27,295/yr | 9% |
| Plan 5 | Sept 2023+ England | £25,000/yr | 9% |
| Postgraduate | PG loans | £21,000/yr | 6% |
5. Pension & Salary Sacrifice
Pension contributions reduce your taxable income — this is where the real tax efficiency hides. If your employer uses salary sacrifice, your pension contributions come out before tax and NI are calculated, saving you money on both.
A basic-rate taxpayer contributing £100/month to their pension only costs £80 in take-home pay after the 20% tax relief. A higher-rate taxpayer pays just £60 for the same £100 contribution.
6. Real Examples: £25k to £80k
Estimated take-home pay for England (no student loan, 5% pension employee, 3% employer):
| Gross salary | Income tax | NI | Pension | Net monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £2,486 | £992 | £1,250 | £1,690 |
| £30,000 | £3,486 | £1,392 | £1,500 | £1,969 |
| £35,000 | £4,486 | £1,792 | £1,750 | £2,248 |
| £45,000 | £6,486 | £2,592 | £2,250 | £2,806 |
| £55,000 | £9,432 | £3,256 | £2,750 | £3,130 |
| £70,000 | £15,432 | £3,656 | £3,500 | £3,951 |
| £80,000 | £19,432 | £3,856 | £4,000 | £4,393 |
Estimates only. Figures rounded. Actual take-home depends on tax code, location, NI category, and specific pension arrangement. Use Womho's calculator for a precise figure.
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