Answers · UK 2025/26

How much Income Tax do I pay on £45,000 in Wales in 2026/27?

Wales uses Welsh Rates of Income Tax, which the Senedd has kept identical to the rest of the UK's rates for 2026/27. On a £45,000 salary in Wales, you pay £6,486 Income Tax and £2,594.40 National Insurance, leaving £35,919.60 take-home pay -- exactly the same as in England or Northern Ireland.

Last updated: 3 July 2026Last reviewed: 3 July 2026How we verify

Full answer

Since April 2019, the Welsh Government has had the power to set Welsh Rates of Income Tax (WRIT) for Welsh taxpayers, separately from the rest of the UK, by varying each of the three UK rate bands by the same percentage. However, for every tax year since devolution, including 2026/27, the Senedd has chosen to set the Welsh rates at exactly the same level as the rest of the UK, meaning Welsh taxpayers currently pay identical Income Tax to someone in England or Northern Ireland on the same income. On a £45,000 salary in 2026/27, taxable income after the £12,570 Personal Allowance is £32,430, taxed entirely at the 20% basic rate, giving £6,486 Income Tax. National Insurance, which is a UK-wide, non-devolved tax, is 8% of the same £32,430, giving £2,594.40. Combined deductions of £9,080.40 leave £35,919.60 take-home pay a year -- exactly the same figure as the rest-of-UK calculation. Welsh taxpayers can identify themselves on their tax code by the "C" prefix (for example C1257L), which tells HMRC and employers to apply Welsh rates, though since these currently match rest-of-UK rates exactly, the practical effect on your payslip is nil. This could change in future Budgets if the Senedd chooses to diverge, so it is worth checking Welsh Government announcements each year rather than assuming parity will continue indefinitely.