There is no tax on salary in the UK to be paid by an individual. This may come as a surprise to many who think that they are required to pay tax on their earnings just like employees in other countries, but this is not true.
How much you have to earn to pay tax in the UK depends on which bracket you fall into.
The UK has three different tax brackets, starting at 10% and going up to 45%. The first £22,400 of your income is taxed at 10%, then £22,400 to £45,000 is taxed at 20%, and any amount above that is taxed at 40%.
Current rates and allowances
How much Income Tax you pay in each tax year depends on:
- how much of your income is above your Personal Allowance
- how much of your income falls within each tax band
Some income is tax-free.
The current tax year is from 6 April 2022 to 5 April 2023.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Your tax-free Personal Allowance
The standard Personal Allowance is £12,570, which is the amount of income you do not have to pay tax on.
Your Personal Allowance may be bigger if you claim Marriage Allowance or Blind Person’s Allowance. It’s smaller if your income is over £100,000.
Income Tax rates and bands
The table shows the tax rates you pay in each band if you have a standard Personal Allowance of £12,570.
Income tax bands are different if you live in Scotland.
| Band | Taxable income | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571 to £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271 to £150,000 | 40% |
| Additional rate | over £150,000 | 45% |
You can also see the rates and bands without the Personal Allowance. You do not get a Personal Allowance on taxable income over £125,140.
If you’re employed or get a pension
Check your Income Tax to see:
- your Personal Allowance and tax code
- how much tax you’ve paid in the current tax year
- how much you’re likely to pay for the rest of the year
Other allowances
You have tax-free allowances for:
- savings interest
- dividends, if you own shares in a company
You may also have tax-free allowances for:
- your first £1,000 of income from self-employment – this is your ‘trading allowance’
- your first £1,000 of income from property you rent (unless you’re using the Rent a Room Scheme)
Find out whether you’re eligible for the trading and property allowances.
You pay tax on any interest, dividends or income over your allowances.
Paying less Income Tax
You may be able to claim Income Tax reliefs if you’re eligible for them.
If you’re married or in a civil partnership
You may be able to claim Marriage Allowance to reduce your partner’s tax if your income is less than the standard Personal Allowance.
If you do not claim Marriage Allowance and you or your partner were born before 6 April 1935, you may be able to claim Married Couple’s Allowance.
