The 2026/27 tax year runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. The headline figures are frozen again: a £12,570 Personal Allowance, the higher-rate threshold at £50,270, and employee National Insurance at 8%. This guide pulls every band, allowance and deadline into one place.
These bands apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has its own five-band system set by the Scottish Parliament. The Personal Allowance is taxed at 0%, and the rates apply only to income above it:
| Band | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571 – £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271 – £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
Employees pay Class 1 National Insurance through PAYE. The main rate is 8% on earnings between the primary threshold and the upper earnings limit, then 2% above:
| Earnings band (annual) | Employee rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £12,570 (primary threshold) | 0% |
| £12,570 – £50,270 (upper earnings limit) | 8% |
| Over £50,270 | 2% |
Self-employed workers pay Class 4 NI instead, at 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above. Class 2 NI is no longer charged but voluntary contributions still build State Pension entitlement. You can check the National Insurance due on any salary with this National Insurance calculator.
| Allowance | 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | £12,570 |
| Dividend allowance | £500 |
| Personal Savings Allowance (basic rate) | £1,000 |
| Personal Savings Allowance (higher rate) | £500 |
| Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount | £3,000 |
| ISA allowance | £20,000 |
| Pension annual allowance | £60,000 |
| Marriage Allowance transfer | £1,260 |
Dividends above the £500 allowance are taxed at 10.75% (basic), 35.75% (higher) and 39.35% (additional rate). The High Income Child Benefit Charge begins to claw back Child Benefit once one earner's income passes £60,000, with the benefit fully withdrawn at £80,000.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | 2026/27 tax year begins |
| 31 July 2026 | Second payment on account (2025/26) due |
| 5 October 2026 | Deadline to register for Self Assessment |
| 31 October 2026 | Paper tax return deadline (2025/26) |
| 31 January 2027 | Online return + balancing payment + first payment on account |
| 5 April 2027 | 2026/27 tax year ends |
Income Tax bands and the Personal Allowance are from the GOV.UK Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances guidance; National Insurance figures from National Insurance rates and categories; and Self Assessment dates from Self Assessment deadlines. All main thresholds remain frozen for 2026/27.
It runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. The odd start date is a historical hangover from the calendar reforms of the 1750s.
£12,570, frozen again. It is reduced by £1 for every £2 you earn over £100,000 and disappears at £125,140.
In England, Wales and NI: 0% to £12,570, 20% to £50,270, 40% to £125,140, and 45% above. Scotland sets its own bands.
The ISA allowance is £20,000 across all your ISAs combined, with a £9,000 separate limit for a Junior ISA.
