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What is the marginal tax rate at every UK income level in 2026/27?

The marginal tax rate for an employee in England, Wales or Northern Ireland in 2026/27 is 28% from £12,570 to £50,270, 42% from £50,270 to £100,000, an effective 62% from £100,000 to £125,140, and 47% above that. A parent claiming Child Benefit for two children faces about 54% between £60,000 and £80,000. The table below gives every income level.

Data as of 2026-09-06. Sources: gov.uk Income Tax rates, National Insurance rates, High Income Child Benefit Charge. By Sravya, Founder and editor, KnowMyPay.

How is the marginal rate calculated?

The marginal rate is the tax and National Insurance taken from the next £1,000 of gross pay, divided by £1,000.

Income tax uses the 2026/27 bands on gov.uk: a £12,570 personal allowance, 20% to £50,270, 40% to £125,140 and 45% above.

The personal allowance falls by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000, reaching nil at £125,140, as stated on gov.uk's page on income over £100,000.

Employee National Insurance is 8% from £12,570 to £50,270 and 2% above, per gov.uk's National Insurance rates page.

The Child Benefit column adds the High Income Child Benefit Charge for a parent with two children, at 1% of the benefit for every £200 of adjusted net income above £60,000, per gov.uk.

The figures assume a standard tax code, no pension contribution and no student loan. They are estimates for general information and are not advice.

What is the marginal tax rate at each income in 2026/27?

Effective marginal rate on the next £1,000 of gross pay, employee, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2026/27
Gross incomePersonal allowanceMarginal rate, tax and NIKept from the next £100Marginal rate with Child Benefit for two children
£10,000£12,5700%£1000%
£12,570£12,57028%£7228%
£15,000£12,57028%£7228%
£20,000£12,57028%£7228%
£25,000£12,57028%£7228%
£30,000£12,57028%£7228%
£35,000£12,57028%£7228%
£40,000£12,57028%£7228%
£45,000£12,57028%£7228%
£50,000£12,57038%£6238%
£50,270£12,57042%£5842%
£55,000£12,57042%£5842%
£60,000£12,57042%£5854%
£65,000£12,57042%£5854%
£70,000£12,57042%£5854%
£75,000£12,57042%£5854%
£80,000£12,57042%£5842%
£85,000£12,57042%£5842%
£90,000£12,57042%£5842%
£95,000£12,57042%£5842%
£100,000£12,57062%£3862%
£105,000£10,07062%£3862%
£110,000£7,57062%£3862%
£115,000£5,07062%£3862%
£120,000£2,57062%£3862%
£125,000£7049%£5149%
£125,140£047%£5347%
£130,000£047%£5347%
£135,000£047%£5347%
£140,000£047%£5347%
£145,000£047%£5347%
£150,000£047%£5347%
£155,000£047%£5347%
£160,000£047%£5347%
£165,000£047%£5347%
£170,000£047%£5347%
£175,000£047%£5347%
£180,000£047%£5347%
£185,000£047%£5347%
£190,000£047%£5347%
£195,000£047%£5347%
£200,000£047%£5347%

The highest marginal rate without children is 62% at £100,000, inside the personal allowance taper.

The highest rate for a parent of two claiming Child Benefit is 54% at £70,000, inside the Child Benefit charge band.

Where are the two traps?

The £60,000 trap runs from £60,000 to £80,000 and applies only to households claiming Child Benefit; the charge is worked out on the higher earner's adjusted net income, per gov.uk.

The £100,000 trap runs from £100,000 to £125,140 and applies to everyone; it comes from the personal allowance taper on gov.uk's income tax page.

Above £125,140 the allowance is gone and the marginal rate falls back to 47%, made up of 45% income tax and 2% National Insurance.

How do I use this table?

Find the row nearest your gross pay and read the marginal rate; that is the share of a pay rise, bonus or overtime that goes in tax and National Insurance before any pension or student loan deduction.

The marginal tax rate calculator gives the exact figure for any income and shows the effect of pension contributions.

The Child Benefit charge calculator shows the pension contribution that takes adjusted net income below £60,000.

The pay rise calculator values a specific offer after deductions, and the salary pages show take-home at each amount.

Common questions

What is the marginal tax rate in the UK in 2026/27?

The marginal rate is the share of the next pound of income taken in tax and National Insurance. For an employee in England, Wales or Northern Ireland it is 28% between £12,570 and £50,270 (20% income tax plus 8% National Insurance), 42% from £50,270 to £100,000, an effective 62% from £100,000 to £125,140, and 47% above that, according to the income tax rates and National Insurance pages on gov.uk.

What is the 60% tax trap?

Between £100,000 and £125,140 the personal allowance is withdrawn at £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income above £100,000, as set out on gov.uk. Each extra £100 is taxed at 40% and also removes £50 of allowance, which is taxed at 40%, so the effective income tax rate is 60%. With 2% National Insurance the marginal rate is 62%.

What is the £60,000 Child Benefit trap?

The High Income Child Benefit Charge starts at an adjusted net income of £60,000 and takes 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 above it until £80,000, per gov.uk. For two children the benefit is £2,337 a year, so the charge adds about 12% to the marginal rate between £60,000 and £80,000, giving an effective rate of about 54%.

How can I reduce my marginal rate?

A pension contribution reduces adjusted net income, which restores the personal allowance in the £100,000 to £125,140 band and reduces the Child Benefit charge in the £60,000 to £80,000 band. Salary sacrifice also saves National Insurance. Whether either is right depends on personal circumstances, and the figures here are estimates for general information only.

Do these rates apply in Scotland?

No. Scotland sets its own income tax bands and rates, published by the Scottish Government, and the marginal rates differ at most income levels. National Insurance and the Child Benefit charge are the same across the UK. The Scottish income tax calculator on this site shows the Scottish figures.