Income Tax UK: Tax Codes, Allowances, PAYE, Scottish Rates and Reliefs

UK Tax Brackets 2025/26 Quick Reference

Current UK income tax bands and rates. Personal allowances, tax thresholds, and how much you'll pay at each level — updated for 2025/26.

Tax information is based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year. Tax rules can change — always verify current rates at GOV.UK. This is not tax advice. Consider consulting a qualified tax adviser for your personal situation.

A quick reference to UK income tax bands and rates for the 2025/26 tax year.

England, Wales & Northern Ireland

Tax Bands 2025/26

BandTaxable IncomeTax Rate
Personal Allowance£0 - £12,5700%
Basic Rate£12,571 - £50,27020%
Higher Rate£50,271 - £125,14040%
Additional RateOver £125,14045%

Tax-Free Personal Allowance

SituationAllowance
Standard£12,570
Blind Person’s+£3,070
Marriage AllowanceTransfer up to £1,260
Over £100k incomeReduced

Scotland

Scottish Tax Bands 2025/26

BandTaxable IncomeTax Rate
Personal Allowance£0 - £12,5700%
Starter Rate£12,571 - £14,87619%
Basic Rate£14,877 - £26,56120%
Intermediate Rate£26,562 - £43,66221%
Higher Rate£43,663 - £75,00042%
Advanced Rate£75,001 - £125,14045%
Top RateOver £125,14048%

Personal Allowance Reduction

Over £100,000 Income

Your IncomePersonal Allowance
£100,000£12,570
£110,000£7,570
£120,000£2,570
£125,140+£0

How It Works

Calculator
Income over £100k£
Divide by 2= reduction
Max reduction£12,570

The 60% Trap

Income RangeEffective Rate
£100,000 - £125,140~60%
Why?40% tax + lost allowance
AvoidPension contributions

Quick Tax Calculations

Tax on Different Salaries

SalaryTax PaidEffective Rate
£20,000£1,4867.4%
£30,000£3,48611.6%
£40,000£5,48613.7%
£50,000£7,48615.0%
£60,000£11,48619.1%
£70,000£15,48622.1%
£80,000£19,48624.4%
£100,000£27,48627.5%

Note: Tax only, excludes National Insurance

Understanding Marginal Rate

ConceptExplanation
Marginal rateTax on next £1 earned
Not averageOnly on that portion
If earning £55,000Marginal rate is 40%
But averageMuch lower

Dividend Tax

Dividend Rates 2025/26

BandRate
Dividend Allowance£500 tax-free
Basic Rate8.75%
Higher Rate33.75%
Additional Rate39.35%

Which Band?

Your Total IncomeDividend Rate
Under £50,2708.75%
£50,271 - £125,14033.75%
Over £125,14039.35%

Capital Gains Tax

CGT Rates 2025/26

AssetBasic RateHigher Rate
Residential Property18%24%
Other Assets10%20%

Annual Exempt Amount

YearExemption
2025/26£3,000
PreviouslyHigher
NowSignificantly reduced

Savings Tax

Personal Savings Allowance

Tax BandPSA
Basic Rate£1,000
Higher Rate£500
Additional Rate£0

Starting Rate for Savings

ConditionRate
Non-savings income under £17,5700% up to £5,000
On savings interest

Tax-Free Allowances Summary

AllowanceAmount 2025/26
Personal Allowance£12,570
Personal Savings Allowance£1,000/£500
Dividend Allowance£500
Capital Gains Allowance£3,000
ISA Allowance£20,000

Key Dates

DateAction
6 AprilTax year starts
5 AprilTax year ends
31 JanuarySelf Assessment deadline
31 JulyPayment on account due

Summary

Key ThresholdAmount
Tax-free earnings£12,570
Basic rate ends£50,270
Higher rate ends£125,140
Personal Allowance lost£125,140
Quick Lookup2025/26
Personal Allowance£12,570
Basic Rate20%
Higher Rate40%
Additional Rate45%

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Sources

  1. HMRC — Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
  2. HMRC — Scottish Income Tax