https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog Guides to UK pay, tax, pensions and benefits for 2026/27, each checked against gov.uk and linked to a free calculator. en-GB Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/autumn-budget-2026-what-to-expect https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/autumn-budget-2026-what-to-expect Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT The Autumn Budget is on 28 October 2026, confirmed on gov.uk. What is already law, what is not yet announced, and where to check the effect on pay. Tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/attendance-allowance-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/attendance-allowance-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Attendance Allowance 2026/27 pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week over State Pension age for help with personal care, tax free and not means tested. Benefits https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/benefit-cap-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/benefit-cap-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Benefit cap 2026/27: £22,020 outside London and £25,323 in London for couples and families, £14,753 and £16,967 for single people, plus who is exempt. Benefits https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/bereavement-support-payment-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/bereavement-support-payment-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Bereavement Support Payment: £3,500 then £350 a month for 18 months with children, £2,500 then £100 a month without, and the three-month claim deadline. Benefits https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/capital-gains-tax-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/capital-gains-tax-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Capital gains tax 2026/27: a £3,000 exempt amount, then 18% within the basic rate band and 24% above it on shares and property alike, with worked examples. Investments https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/car-tax-ved-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/car-tax-ved-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Car tax 2026/27: first-year rates by CO2 band from £10 to £5,690, the £200 standard rate from year two and the £440 supplement on cars over £40,000. Motoring https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/carers-allowance-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/carers-allowance-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Carer's Allowance 2026/27: £86.45 a week for 35 hours of care, with a £204 earnings limit after tax, National Insurance and half your pension payments. Benefits https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/child-benefit-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/child-benefit-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Child Benefit 2026/27: £27.05 a week for the eldest child and £17.90 for each other child, and how the tax charge works above £60,000 of income. Family https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/child-maintenance-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/child-maintenance-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Child maintenance 2026/27: the CMS formula of 12%, 16% or 19% of gross weekly income to £800, the band to £3,000, shared care reductions and examples. Family https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/childcare-help-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/childcare-help-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Childcare help 2026/27: 30 free hours a week for 38 weeks from nine months, Tax-Free Childcare worth up to £2,000 a child, and the earnings rules. Family https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/company-car-tax-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/company-car-tax-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Company car tax 2026/27: benefit in kind rates from 4% for electric cars to 37% by CO2 band, the diesel supplement and monthly costs for typical cars. Motoring https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/corporation-tax-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/corporation-tax-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Corporation tax 2026/27: 19% on profits up to £50,000, 25% from £250,000, and marginal relief between that taxes each extra pound at 26.5%, with figures. Self-employment https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/council-tax-bands-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/council-tax-bands-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT How council tax bands work: the 1991 value ranges for bands A to H in England, what each band pays relative to Band D and how to challenge a band. Tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/credit-card-minimum-payments-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/credit-card-minimum-payments-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Why a credit card balance takes years to clear: what £3,000 at 24.9% costs at each monthly payment, how minimum payments work and how to clear it faster. Savings https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/dividend-tax-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/dividend-tax-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Dividend tax 2026/27: a £500 allowance, then 10.75% in the basic rate band, 35.75% in the higher band, 39.35% above £125,140, with examples for directors. Self-employment https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/emergency-tax-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/emergency-tax-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Emergency tax is a temporary over-deduction under a W1, M1 or X tax code. What it costs on a new job or a pension lump sum, and how the refund arrives. Payslips https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/energy-price-cap-october-2026 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/energy-price-cap-october-2026 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026: £1,723 a year for typical use, the unit rates and standing charges behind it, and the VAT change. Household bills https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/first-time-buyer-deposit-how-much https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/first-time-buyer-deposit-how-much Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT How much deposit a first-time buyer needs in 2026: 5% to 20% on £250,000 to £400,000 homes, the Lifetime ISA bonus, stamp duty relief and other costs. Property https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/fuel-cost-per-mile-and-ev-charging https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/fuel-cost-per-mile-and-ev-charging Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT What a mile costs in fuel at 30 to 60 mpg and £1.45 a litre, against an electric car charged at home, off peak or on a rapid charger, plus annual totals. Motoring https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/help-to-buy-isa-bonus-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/help-to-buy-isa-bonus-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT The Help to Buy ISA is closed to new savers but pays a 25% bonus of up to £3,000 on £12,000 saved: the price caps, the 2030 deadline and how to claim. Property https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/holiday-entitlement-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/holiday-entitlement-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Statutory holiday is 5.6 weeks a year, capped at 28 days: what part-time, hours-based and irregular-hours workers get, plus bank holidays and pay. Employment https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-university-cost https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-university-cost Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT The cost of a degree in 2026: £29,370 of tuition fees plus living costs over three years, what the maintenance loan covers and the gap parents fill. Family https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-100000-after-tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-100000-after-tax Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT £100,000 after tax is about £68,557 a year, or £5,713 a month, in 2026/27. Above that the personal allowance tapers and each extra pound is taxed at 62%. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-25000-after-tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-25000-after-tax Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT £25,000 after tax is about £21,520 a year, or £1,793 a month, in 2026/27 once income tax and National Insurance are deducted. The full breakdown follows. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-35000-after-tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-35000-after-tax Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT £35,000 after tax is about £28,720 a year, or £2,393 a month, in 2026/27 once income tax and National Insurance are deducted. The full breakdown follows. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-45000-after-tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-45000-after-tax Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT £45,000 after tax is about £35,920 a year, or £2,993 a month, in 2026/27 once income tax and National Insurance are deducted. The full breakdown follows. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-50000-after-tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-50000-after-tax Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT £50,000 after tax is £39,520 a year, or £3,293 a month, in 2026/27. The guide shows the working and the six things that move the figure. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-60000-after-tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-is-60000-after-tax Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT £60,000 after tax is about £45,357 a year, or £3,780 a month, in 2026/27 once income tax and National Insurance are deducted. The full breakdown follows. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-pension-do-i-need https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-pension-do-i-need Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT How much pension you need in 2026: the £13,900, £32,700 and £45,400 living standards, the pot each needs after the State Pension and the monthly saving. Pensions https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-tax-do-i-pay-on-a-bonus https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-tax-do-i-pay-on-a-bonus Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT A bonus is taxed at the marginal rate, not a special bonus rate, so a basic rate taxpayer keeps £720 of every £1,000. The month it lands can look worse. Bonuses https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-to-pay-into-pension https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/how-much-to-pay-into-pension Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT How much to pay into a pension in 2026/27: the 8% minimum, what a moderate retirement costs, the pot it needs and the monthly saving needed by age. Pensions https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/income-tax-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/income-tax-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Income tax in 2026/27: the £12,570 personal allowance, the 20%, 40% and 45% bands, National Insurance and Scottish rates, with the tax due at each salary. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/inheritance-tax-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/inheritance-tax-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Inheritance tax 2026/27: 40% above the £325,000 nil-rate band, the £175,000 residence band, the £1 million couple's total and worked examples. Tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/ir35-and-umbrella-take-home-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/ir35-and-umbrella-take-home-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT What a contractor keeps in 2026/27: umbrella take-home on a £400 day rate, inside versus outside IR35, and the salary a day rate is really worth. Self-employment https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/is-my-tax-code-right https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/is-my-tax-code-right Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT How to check a UK tax code, what each number and letter means, the common reasons a code is wrong, and how HMRC corrects it and refunds overpaid tax. Payslips https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/is-overtime-taxed-more https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/is-overtime-taxed-more Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Overtime has no special tax rate: what time and a half is worth after tax and National Insurance, and when extra hours push you into the 40% band. Employment https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/isa-allowance-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/isa-allowance-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT The ISA allowance for 2026/27 is £20,000 across all adult ISAs, including up to £4,000 in a Lifetime ISA, plus a separate £9,000 Junior ISA limit. Investments https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/jsa-and-esa-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/jsa-and-esa-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT New style JSA and ESA in 2026/27: £75.65 a week under 25 and £95.55 from 25, £145.90 in the ESA support group, and how long each is paid. Benefits https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/leasehold-ground-rent-and-service-charges https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/leasehold-ground-rent-and-service-charges Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT What a leasehold flat costs to own beyond the mortgage: ground rent, service charges, the 2022 peppercorn rule, lease length and extensions. Property https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/maintenance-loan-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/maintenance-loan-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Maintenance loan 2026/27 in England: up to £10,830 away from home, £14,135 in London and £9,118 at home, tapering above £25,000 of household income. Students https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/marriage-allowance-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/marriage-allowance-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Marriage Allowance 2026/27: transfer £1,260 of personal allowance to a partner to save up to £252, or up to £1,260 with a claim backdated to 2022/23. Tax https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/maternity-pay-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/maternity-pay-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026/27: 90% of earnings for 6 weeks then £194.32 a week for 33, who qualifies, totals at each salary and Maternity Allowance. Family https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/mileage-allowance-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/mileage-allowance-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Mileage allowance 2026/27: 55p for the first 10,000 business miles and 25p after, how to claim tax relief when an employer pays less, and what is taxed. Motoring https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/minimum-wage-april-2026 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/minimum-wage-april-2026 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Minimum wage from 1 April 2026: £12.71 an hour from 21, £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices, with yearly and take-home pay. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/mortgage-repayment-costs-by-rate-and-term https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/mortgage-repayment-costs-by-rate-and-term Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT What a mortgage costs a month in 2026: repayments on £150,000 to £400,000 at rates from 3.5% to 6%, how the term changes the bill, and interest only. Property https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/national-insurance-rates-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/national-insurance-rates-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT National Insurance 2026/27: employees pay 8% from £12,570 to £50,270 and 2% above, employers 15% above £5,000, and the self-employed 6% and 2% on profits. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/nhs-pay-bands-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/nhs-pay-bands-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT NHS pay bands for 2026/27: every Agenda for Change pay point from Band 2 to 9, with monthly take-home after pension, tax and NI, and London supplements. Take-home pay https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/nhs-prescription-charges-2026-27 https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/nhs-prescription-charges-2026-27 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT NHS prescription charges in England 2026/27: £9.90 an item, prepayment certificates at £32.05 and £114.50, who is exempt, and dental band charges. Health https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/overpay-mortgage-or-invest https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/overpay-mortgage-or-invest Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Overpay the mortgage or invest: what £10,000 does against a 4.5% mortgage or a 6% return in and out of an ISA, the break-even rate and offset mortgages. Property https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/payslip-abbreviations-explained https://knowmypay.co.uk/blog/payslip-abbreviations-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Every code on a UK payslip explained: NI EE and NI ER, tax code letters, W1/M1, SL, YTD and pension EE/ER, with the 2026/27 thresholds behind each line. Payslips