Budget 2026 calculator: how will the Budget affect you?
Enter your salary to see your income tax, National Insurance and take-home pay for the 2026/27 tax year, and what the changes most talked about before the Budget on Wednesday 28 October would mean for you. This is an estimate, and we will update it with what is actually announced.
| Income tax | |
|---|---|
| National Insurance | |
| Take-home pay a year | |
| Take-home pay a month |
What if
Estimate for a single salary paid evenly through the year, with the standard tax code. It leaves out pension contributions, student loans, benefits in kind and other income. Rates: HMRC and Scottish Government, 2026/27.
Set the whole Budget yourself
Every tax band and every department, with real figures. See what your choices do to borrowing, growth and households like yours, then compare with the real Budget on Wednesday.
Set the whole Budget yourselfThe 2026/27 rules this uses
Outside Scotland the personal allowance is £12,570, the basic rate is 20% up to £50,270, the higher rate is 40% up to £125,140 and the additional rate is 45% above that. The personal allowance falls by £1 for every £2 of income over £100,000. These thresholds are frozen until April 2031, so as pay rises more of it is taxed at higher rates. This is called fiscal drag.
In Scotland the bands for 2026/27 are 19% from £12,571 to £16,537, 20% to £29,526, 21% to £43,662, 42% to £75,000, 45% to £125,140 and 48% above that. Employees across the UK pay National Insurance at 8% between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above.
The government has said it will not raise the main rates of income tax, employee National Insurance or VAT. Will income tax go up in the Budget? On the day, see the Budget 2026 key points.
Common questions
How will the Budget affect me?
It depends on what is announced on Wednesday 28 October 2026. This calculator shows your income tax, National Insurance and take-home pay under the 2026/27 rules, plus what common changes, such as a penny on the basic rate or keeping thresholds frozen, would mean for your pay. We will update it with the measures announced in the Budget.
What are the income tax bands for 2026/27?
Outside Scotland: a £12,570 personal allowance, 20% basic rate up to £50,270, 40% higher rate up to £125,140 and 45% above that. The personal allowance falls by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000.
How is Scotland different?
Scotland sets its own income tax rates and bands on earnings. For 2026/27 there are six bands: 19% starter, 20% basic, 21% intermediate, 42% higher, 45% advanced and 48% top. National Insurance is the same across the UK.
What National Insurance do employees pay?
8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 a year, and 2% on earnings above £50,270.
Is this calculator accurate?
It is an estimate for a single salary, paid evenly through the year. It does not include pension contributions, student loan repayments, benefits in kind, tax codes other than the standard one, or income other than a salary.
Last checked 23 October 2026. Sources: HMRC income tax and National Insurance rates for 2026/27; Scottish Government, Scottish rate resolution 2026 to 2027.