Answers · UK 2025/26

How much is the High Income Child Benefit Charge on exactly £60,000 income with one child?

At exactly £60,000 adjusted net income in 2026/27, the High Income Child Benefit Charge is £0. The charge only applies to income strictly above £60,000, so someone at precisely this threshold keeps their full Child Benefit with no charge at all.

Last updated: 10 July 2026Last reviewed: 10 July 2026How we verify

Full answer

The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) claws back Child Benefit once either partner in a household has adjusted net income above £60,000, at a rate of 1% of the Child Benefit received for every £200 of income above that threshold, until it is fully clawed back at £80,000. At exactly £60,000 of adjusted net income, you are precisely at the lower threshold, meaning there is £0 of income above the trigger point -- the charge calculation produces £0, so a family with one child keeps the full £1,406.60 of annual Child Benefit (£27.05 a week) with no charge deducted at all. Earn even £1 more than £60,000, and the charge begins immediately, clawing back a small percentage that rises steadily until it reaches 100% at £80,000. Because the charge is based on adjusted net income -- which can be reduced through pension contributions, Gift Aid donations or salary sacrifice -- someone whose salary would otherwise exceed £60,000 can bring their adjusted net income back down to exactly this threshold or below, preserving the full Child Benefit with no charge. This makes £60,000 an important planning point: a modest pension contribution around a small pay rise or bonus can be the difference between keeping 100% of Child Benefit and starting to lose it. Use the Child Benefit calculator to check exactly how a pay rise or pension contribution affects your charge.