UK Tax Rates 2025/26

Every UK tax rate in one place. Income tax, NI, corporation tax, CGT, inheritance tax, stamp duty, VAT and dividend tax rates for 2025/26.

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1. Income Tax Rates (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)

Income tax is the largest tax most people pay. The rates below apply to England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the 2025/26 tax year. Scotland has its own rates (see below).

BandTaxable IncomeRate
Personal AllowanceUp to £12,5700%
Basic Rate£12,571 – £50,27020%
Higher Rate£50,271 – £125,14040%
Additional RateOver £125,14045%

Note: The personal allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 of income over £100,000, reaching £0 at £125,140.

2. Scottish Income Tax Rates 2025/26

If you live in Scotland, you pay Scottish income tax rates set by the Scottish Parliament. These rates differ from the rest of the UK.

BandTaxable IncomeRate
Personal AllowanceUp to £12,5700%
Starter Rate£12,571 – £14,87619%
Basic Rate£14,877 – £26,56120%
Intermediate Rate£26,562 – £43,66221%
Higher Rate£43,663 – £75,00042%
Advanced Rate£75,001 – £125,14045%
Top RateOver £125,14048%
Scottish taxpayers: Your tax code will start with an "S" (e.g. S1257L). NI rates, VAT and all other taxes are the same across the UK.

3. National Insurance Rates 2025/26

National Insurance contributions fund the state pension and certain benefits. Rates differ for employees, employers and the self-employed.

Employee (Class 1)

EarningsRate
Up to £12,570 (Primary Threshold)0%
£12,570 – £50,2708%
Over £50,2702%

Employer (Class 1)

EarningsRate
Up to £5,000 (Secondary Threshold)0%
Over £5,00015%

Self-Employed (Class 4)

ProfitsRate
Up to £12,570 (Lower Profits Limit)0%
£12,570 – £50,2706%
Over £50,2702%

Class 2 NI: Voluntary for self-employed from 2024/25. If you choose to pay, the rate is £3.45 per week.

4. Corporation Tax Rates 2025/26

Corporation tax applies to company profits. Since April 2023, a two-tier system applies based on profit levels.

Profit LevelRate
Small Profits (£0 – £50,000)19%
Marginal Relief (£50,001 – £250,000)19% – 25%
Main Rate (over £250,000)25%

Marginal relief formula: For profits between £50,000 and £250,000, marginal relief reduces the effective rate gradually from 25% down towards 19%. The marginal relief fraction is 3/200.

5. Capital Gains Tax Rates 2025/26

Capital gains tax applies when you sell assets for a profit. Rates changed from 30 October 2024 following the Autumn Budget.

Asset TypeBasic Rate TaxpayerHigher/Additional Rate
Most assets (shares, funds, etc.)18%24%
Residential property (not main home)18%24%
Business Asset Disposal Relief14% (rising to 18% from April 2026)
Investors' Relief14% (rising to 18% from April 2026)

Annual Exempt Amount: £3,000 per person for 2025/26. Gains below this are tax-free.

6. Inheritance Tax Rates 2025/26

Inheritance tax (IHT) is charged on estates above certain thresholds when someone dies.

Threshold / RateAmount
Nil-Rate Band (NRB)£325,000
Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB)£175,000
Combined threshold (individual)£500,000
Combined threshold (married couple, transferable)£1,000,000
IHT Rate (above thresholds)40%
Reduced rate (10%+ left to charity)36%

RNRB taper: The residence nil-rate band reduces for estates worth over £2 million, by £1 for every £2 above £2 million.

7. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Rates 2025/26

Stamp duty is paid when you buy property in England or Northern Ireland. Rates reverted from 1 April 2025 after the temporary thresholds ended.

Standard Residential Rates (from 1 April 2025)

Property Price PortionRate
Up to £125,0000%
£125,001 – £250,0002%
£250,001 – £925,0005%
£925,001 – £1,500,00010%
Over £1,500,00012%

Additional Property Surcharge

Property Price PortionRate
Up to £125,0005%
£125,001 – £250,0007%
£250,001 – £925,00010%
£925,001 – £1,500,00015%
Over £1,500,00017%

First-time buyers: No SDLT on the first £300,000 of a property up to £500,000 (from 1 April 2025). 5% applies on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000.

8. VAT Rates 2025/26

Value Added Tax is charged on most goods and services sold in the UK.

TypeRateExamples
Standard Rate20%Most goods and services
Reduced Rate5%Home energy, child car seats, sanitary products
Zero Rate0%Most food, children's clothes, books, newspapers
ExemptN/AInsurance, education, health services, financial services

VAT registration threshold: £90,000 turnover (from 1 April 2024). Businesses below this can register voluntarily.

9. Dividend Tax Rates 2025/26

Dividends are taxed at special rates that are lower than income tax rates. A £1,000 dividend allowance applies before tax is due.

Tax BandDividend Rate
Personal Allowance / Dividend Allowance0%
Basic Rate (up to £50,270)8.75%
Higher Rate (£50,271 – £125,140)33.75%
Additional Rate (over £125,140)39.35%

Dividend Allowance: The first £1,000 of dividends is tax-free in 2025/26 (increased from £500 in 2024/25). This allowance uses up your basic or higher rate band.

10. Student Loan Repayment Rates 2025/26

Student loan repayments are deducted from your salary once you earn above your plan's threshold. These are not technically a tax, but they reduce your take-home pay.

PlanAnnual ThresholdRate
Plan 1 (pre-September 2012)£24,9909%
Plan 2 (post-September 2012)£27,2959%
Plan 4 (Scotland)£31,3959%
Plan 5 (from September 2023)£25,0009%
Postgraduate Loan£21,0006%

Note: Repayments are 9% (or 6%) of income above the threshold, not on total earnings. Plan 2 loans are written off after 30 years; Plan 5 after 40 years.

Related Calculators

Tax Bracket Calculator | Salary Calculator | Tax Calculator | NI Calculator | CGT Calculator | Tax Thresholds 2025/26

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the UK income tax rates for 2025/26?
The UK income tax rates for 2025/26 are: 0% on the personal allowance (up to £12,570), 20% basic rate (£12,571 to £50,270), 40% higher rate (£50,271 to £125,140), and 45% additional rate (over £125,140). Scotland has different rates ranging from 19% to 48%.
What is the corporation tax rate in the UK?
The UK corporation tax rate for 2025/26 is 25% for companies with profits over £250,000, and 19% for small companies with profits under £50,000. Companies with profits between £50,000 and £250,000 benefit from marginal relief, paying an effective rate between 19% and 25%.
What are the capital gains tax rates for 2025/26?
From 30 October 2024, CGT rates increased: basic rate taxpayers pay 18% (previously 10%) on gains, and higher/additional rate taxpayers pay 24% (previously 20%). Residential property rates remain at 18% and 24%. The annual exempt amount is £3,000.
How much inheritance tax do you pay in the UK?
Inheritance tax is charged at 40% on the estate value above the nil-rate band of £325,000. An additional residence nil-rate band of £175,000 may apply if you pass your home to direct descendants. The effective threshold for a married couple can be up to £1,000,000 with both allowances transferred.
Are Scottish tax rates different from the rest of the UK?
Yes. Scotland has its own income tax rates for 2025/26 with six bands: 19% starter rate, 20% basic rate, 21% intermediate rate, 42% higher rate, 45% advanced rate, and 48% top rate. Scottish taxpayers also have a different personal allowance threshold structure. National Insurance, VAT and all other taxes are the same across the UK.

Official Sources

Expert review: James Mitchell, ACCA. Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.