£20,000 salary after tax in the UK
On a £20,000 salary in the UK you pay £1,486 income tax and £594 in social contributions, taking home £17,920 a year — £1,493 a month.
You keep 90% of your pay; your marginal rate on the next £1 you earn is 28%.
- Pay before tax£20,000 a year
- A month: £1,667
- A year: £20,000
- Income tax−£1,486 a year
- A month: −£124
- A year: −£1,486
The 2026 bands, in British Pound
Tax-free allowance: £12,570 a year for each earner
Income-tax bands of UK, 2026, in British Pound Taxable income (after allowance) Rate Tax £0 to £37,700 20% £1,486 £37,700 to £125,140 — not reached at this pay 40% £0 over £125,140 — not reached at this pay 45% £0 Your taxable income is your pay minus your allowance and other deductions: £7,430 a year.
- National Insurance−£594 a year
- A month: −£50
- A year: −£594
- Take-home pay£17,920 a year
- A month: £1,493
- A year: £17,920
UK's 2026 rules for one employee. Source
Other taxes you will meet
- VAT 20%
- tax on investment gains 18%
Good to know
- Scotland has its own income-tax bands; these are the rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The same pay in other countries
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on £20k in the UK?
On £20,000 in the UK you pay £1,486 income tax and £594 in social contributions — £2,080 in total, 10.4% of your pay.
What is the take-home pay on £20,000 in the UK?
You take home £17,920 a year, £1,493 a month — 90% of your pay.
What is my marginal tax rate on £20,000?
Your marginal rate — what you pay on the next £1 you earn — is 28%.
2026 rules checked against gov.uk. Single person, employee, no other income. Not tax advice. Change the details