Your take-home pay is what is left from your salary after Income Tax, National Insurance and any deductions such as pension contributions or student loan repayments. For 2026/27, Income Tax applies above the £12,570 Personal Allowance and National Insurance at 8% and 2%. The calculator above brings these together so you can see your monthly and annual take-home.
How you work changes your net pay too: the calculator above compares your take-home as a sole trader, a limited company director on a salary-plus-dividends mix, and an umbrella employee at the same income, so you can see which structure keeps more.
How is take-home pay calculated in 2026/27?
Start with your gross salary, deduct Income Tax on income above your Personal Allowance, deduct National Insurance, then deduct any pension or student loan. HMRC's Income Tax rates and National Insurance thresholds set the amounts.
| Deduction (2026/27) | How it applies |
|---|---|
| Income Tax | 20% / 40% / 45% above the £12,570 Personal Allowance |
| National Insurance | 8% from £12,570 to £50,270, then 2% |
| Pension | Your contribution, often before tax |
| Student loan | 9% of income above your plan threshold (6% postgraduate) |
What is the take-home pay on a £30,000 salary?
On £30,000 in 2026/27 with the standard tax code and no other deductions, you pay £3,486 Income Tax and £1,394 National Insurance, leaving take-home pay of about £25,120 a year, or roughly £2,093 a month. Pension contributions or a student loan would reduce this further.
How can I increase my take-home pay?
Salary sacrifice into a pension or an electric car can cut both your Income Tax and National Insurance, and checking your tax code stops you overpaying. Directors can often improve their net position with a salary and dividend mix. See also how student loan repayments work on your payslip.
Does my student loan affect my take-home pay?
Yes. If you are repaying a student loan, 9% of your income above your plan threshold is deducted automatically (6% for postgraduate loans), which lowers your take-home pay. The calculator lets you include your plan so the figure is accurate. For advice on your overall position, try our free Tax Health Check.
Related guides and calculators
- UK salary and tax rate guide
- How student loan repayments work
- Income tax calculator
- National Insurance calculator
Frequently asked questions
What is the take-home pay on £30,000 in 2026/27?
On a £30,000 salary in 2026/27 with the standard tax code, you pay around £3,486 Income Tax and £1,394 National Insurance, leaving take-home pay of roughly £25,120 a year or about £2,093 a month, before any pension or student loan deductions.
What deductions come out of my salary?
The main deductions are Income Tax and National Insurance, and where they apply, pension contributions and student loan repayments. Your tax code determines how much Personal Allowance is applied before Income Tax is taken.
How much National Insurance comes out of my pay?
For 2026/27, employees pay Class 1 National Insurance at 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 a year, and 2% above £50,270. There is no National Insurance on the first £12,570 of earnings.
Do pension contributions increase my take-home pay?
A pension contribution lowers your take-home pay because it leaves your salary, but it is your own money being saved with tax relief added. Salary sacrifice arrangements also cut your National Insurance, improving the overall position.
How much is a student loan repayment?
Most student loan plans repay 9% of income above the plan threshold, while postgraduate loans repay 6%. The repayment is taken automatically through payroll alongside your tax and National Insurance.