UK tax year: 6 April 2025 – 5 April 2026 

Income Tax is the tax you pay on what you earn. How much you pay depends on how much income you have and which tax bands it falls into. 

 

Your tax-free allowance 

Most people can earn £12,570 a year tax-free. 
This is called your Personal Allowance. 

 

• You pay no Income Tax on income below this amount. 
• If you earn more than £100,000, your allowance is gradually reduced. 
• Your Personal Allowance is £0 if you earn £125,140 or more. 
• If you’re eligible for Blind Person’s Allowance, you can earn more before paying tax. 

 

How Income Tax bands work 

After your tax-free allowance, your income is taxed in stages. You do not pay one tax rate on all your income. 

These rates apply in most of the UK. Rates are different in Scotland. 

 

 

You only pay higher rates on the portion of income within that band. 

 

If you’re employed or retired 

You can usually check: 

• Your tax code 
• How much tax you’ve paid so far 
• How much you’re likely to pay by the end of the year 

This information appears on your payslip, pension statement, or online tax account. 

 

Other tax-free allowances 

You may also be able to earn some income without paying tax, including: 

 Savings and investments

1. Some savings interest 
2. Some dividend income from shares 

 Extra income:

You may not pay tax on: 

1. Your first £1,000 from self-employment (the trading allowance) 
2. Your first £1,000 from renting out property (does not include Rent a Room income) 

 

You’ll pay tax only on income above these allowances. 

 

Ways to reduce your Income Tax 

You may be eligible for tax reliefs that reduce the amount of tax you pay, depending on your circumstances. 

 

If you’re married or in a civil partnership:

• Marriage Allowance: If one partner earns below the Personal Allowance, part of it may be transferred to the other. 
• Married Couple’s Allowance: Available to couples where one or both partners were born before 6 April 1935 (if Marriage Allowance isn’t used). 

 

Key takeaways 

• Most people don’t pay tax on the first £12,570 they earn 
• Income is taxed in layers, not at one flat rate 
• There are extra allowances for savings, side income, and couples 
• Checking your tax code helps ensure you’re paying the right amount