How much of your bonus will you keep?
Use our UK bonus tax calculator to compare your annual take-home pay with and without a cash bonus.
Your salary and bonus
Annual amounts in pounds. Tax code 1257L; no other income or benefits.
Estimated extra take-home over the year
£2,938
58.8% of your £5,000 bonus
This is an annual comparison, not a prediction of the amount on your bonus payslip.
Rates checked 9 September 2026 against GOV.UK: rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 and gov.scot: Scottish Income Tax rates and bands 2026 to 2027.
Estimated extra take-home over the year
£2,938
58.8% of your £5,000 bonus
This is an annual comparison, not a prediction of the amount on your bonus payslip.
With and without your bonus
| Annual amounts | Without bonus | With bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Gross annual pay | £50,000 | £55,000 |
| Income Tax | £7,486 | £9,432 |
| National Insurance | £2,994 | £3,111 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 |
| Student loans | £0 | £0 |
| Annual take-home | £39,520 | £42,457 |
How is a bonus taxed in the UK?
A cash bonus counts as earnings. Your employer includes it in PAYE Income Tax and Class 1 National Insurance calculations. The amount you keep depends on your earnings and deductions, rather than a separate universal bonus tax rate. See HMRC guidance on cash bonuses.
Why can the bonus payslip differ?
This calculator applies annual thresholds. Payroll calculates National Insurance and student loan deductions by pay period, while PAYE can depend on earlier earnings and your tax code. A one-off bonus can therefore produce a different deduction even across the full year. Use these figures for planning, and ask payroll for a payment-month estimate.
Will a bonus affect my tax band?
The comparison recalculates your full annual estimate with the bonus included, so it accounts for income crossing a band and the personal allowance taper. It does not apply your average deduction percentage to the bonus. The HMRC rates and thresholds explain the current bands.
Comparing a bonus with a salary increase?
A recurring salary increase and a one-off bonus have different effects on your budget. Use the pay rise calculator to compare ongoing monthly pay, or return to the take-home pay calculator for tax codes and additional deductions.