Your effective tax rate is what you actually pay on average; your marginal rate is what the next £1 costs. Both matter — but for different decisions. Worked examples at £30k, £55k, £105k and £130k.
The 2025/26 personal allowance is £12,570 — but it tapers off above £100,000, varies if you claim Marriage Allowance, and behaves oddly with side income. Here's how it works.
Scottish income tax has 6 bands at 19%/20%/21%/42%/45%/48% — England's 3 bands run 20%/40%/45%. Worked comparison at £25k, £35k, £50k, £75k and £125k. Plus the Personal Allowance, LBTT and Plan 4 differences.
Part 1 of our Spring Budget 2026 deep-dive: how the Chancellor's income tax and personal allowance decisions reshape take-home pay for 2026/27, with worked examples at £25k, £45k, £75k and £125k.
