Answers · UK 2025/26

How much tax do I pay on a £15,000 bonus in the UK?

A £15,000 bonus is taxed at your marginal rate. A basic-rate taxpayer whose bonus stays under the higher rate threshold keeps about £10,800 after 20% Income Tax and 8% National Insurance; a higher-rate taxpayer keeps about £8,700 after 40% tax and 2% NI.

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

Full answer

A bonus is taxed as ordinary earnings at whatever marginal rate it falls into once added to your salary, for 2026/27. Two worked examples. Basic-rate taxpayer (salary £30,000, bonus taking total to £45,000, still under the £50,270 higher rate threshold): the £15,000 bonus sits entirely in the 20% band, so Income Tax is £3,000 and National Insurance at 8% is £1,200, leaving £10,800 net. Higher-rate taxpayer (salary £70,000, already above £50,270): the bonus is taxed entirely at 40% = £6,000 plus 2% NI = £300, leaving £8,700 net. A £15,000 bonus is large enough that it can straddle two tax bands if your salary sits close to £50,270, £100,000 or £125,140 -- in that case, only the portion above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate, so check your exact salary before assuming a single flat rate applies. Bonuses at this size can also trigger or worsen the High Income Child Benefit Charge if total income crosses £60,000, and can push adjusted net income above £100,000, tapering the Personal Allowance. Salary-sacrificing all or part of a £15,000 bonus into a pension is a common and effective way to avoid both the higher tax band and any Child Benefit Charge or Personal Allowance taper. Use the Bonus Tax calculator to model your exact figures.