UK Bonus Tax Calculator
See how much of your bonus you keep after income tax, National Insurance and student loan, and what your bonus-month pay looks like.
e.g. 1257L, BR, K475, S1257L
Your take-home pay · per month
£39,520 a year from £50,000 gross, you keep 79.0%
Bonuses are normal income
A bonus is added to your pay and taxed at your marginal rate for the year, plus National Insurance. It is not taxed at a special flat rate.
Why bonus months look bigger
Payroll taxes the bonus in the month it is paid, so that month can feel heavily taxed. Over the full year the maths settles to the figures shown here.
Reduce the tax on a bonus
Taking part of a bonus as employer pension contributions through salary sacrifice avoids income tax and employee National Insurance on that part.
Frequently asked questions
Figures use official GOV.UK 2026/27 rates. See the methodology.
How much tax will I pay on a £5,000 bonus? +
In the basic-rate band expect about 28% to go in tax and NI (20% + 8%); in the higher-rate band about 42%. The bonus card shows your exact figure.
Is a bonus taxed at 40%? +
Only the part that falls into the higher-rate band is taxed at 40%.
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