Rates & sources
UK tax rates and thresholds, as published by HMRC. Scotland and Wales have devolved rates for income tax and property transactions.
Source: HMRC — Tax rates — figures refreshed at the start of each tax year.
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When to use this calculator
- Before accepting a pay change, bonus, pension contribution, or salary-sacrifice option.
- When you want to compare employed, self-employed, or dividend-based income scenarios.
- When you need a simple take-home estimate before running payroll or filing returns.
- When you are approaching the £100,000 income level and want to understand the personal allowance taper effect.
- When you are planning a salary sacrifice arrangement and need to see the net pay impact before agreeing terms.
A realistic UK planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
Your Annual Pension Contribution (£)
£35,000
Your Income Tax Band
Basic rate (20%)
Employer Annual Contribution (£)
£250 per month
After entering these figures, review basic rate relief added, additional relief to claim and total tax relief together rather than in isolation — each metric tells a different part of the story. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted to see which variable has the biggest effect on all three outputs before you settle on a plan.
How to read your results
Basic Rate Relief Added
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Additional Relief to Claim
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Total Tax Relief
Review this figure alongside your gross income so you can understand the true cost of deductions and plan around any thresholds before the tax year closes. If the figure looks higher than expected, check whether any pension or gift-aid contributions could reduce your taxable income.
Your Net Cost
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Total Into Pot
This is the headline outcome of the calculation, but it is most useful when read alongside the supporting metrics below it rather than in isolation. Try changing one input at a time and watching how this total moves to understand which driver has the biggest impact.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator models pension tax relief under the relief at source system, which is used by the majority of personal and SIPP pension providers in the UK. You enter the gross contribution amount — the total that lands in your pot including the basic rate top-up — and select your marginal income tax band for the 2024/25 tax year. The calculator splits the total relief into two components: the 20% basic rate relief added automatically by your provider, and any additional relief above 20% that higher, additional, or Scottish-rate taxpayers are entitled to claim back via Self Assessment. The effective cost to you is your gross contribution minus total relief, representing what the pension actually costs from your after-tax income.
The tool includes the Scottish intermediate rate (21%) and Scottish higher rate (42%) as these diverge from UK-wide rates and require Scottish taxpayers to claim the marginal difference separately. The annual allowance of £60,000 and the tapered allowance for high earners are not modelled here — if your total contributions exceed £60,000, an annual allowance charge may apply. Employer contributions are included in the total pot calculation only and do not affect the personal relief figures. Always verify your relief entitlement with HMRC or a regulated financial adviser, as individual circumstances may affect the amounts claimable.
Common mistakes
- !Entering gross income when you really want take-home pay, or vice versa.
- !Ignoring pension contributions, deductions, or local tax rules that change the result.
- !Comparing monthly and annual figures without standardising them first.
- !Overlooking the National Insurance threshold changes that apply mid-year when rates or bands are adjusted in a Budget.
- !Assuming a salary sacrifice benefit reduces take-home pay by the full gross amount, rather than only the after-tax cost.
What to do next
- Check the same scenario with related pay or deduction calculators to see the full picture.
- Keep a copy of the assumptions you used so you can compare next tax year or pay period accurately.
- Read the related guides below if you are choosing between multiple income or deduction options.
- If you are self-employed, run the self-employment tax calculator alongside this result to compare the net position against employed income.
- Check whether increasing your pension contribution by even one or two percent changes the take-home significantly — use the pension calculator next.
Frequently asked
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End-of-article next steps
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