Tax Bracket Visualizer
See your income split across tax bands with a visual bar. Highlights the 60% tax trap at £100-125K.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
Total Tax
£9,432.00
Effective Rate
17.15%
Marginal Rate
40%
Personal Allowance
£12,570.00
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
UK income tax operates on a marginal rate system. You do not pay one flat percentage on all your income. Instead, each portion of income falling within a specific band is taxed at that band's rate. The Personal Allowance gives you £12,570 tax-free, then the basic rate of 20% applies up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above that.
The visualiser shows each band as a coloured segment so you can see how much of your income falls into each bracket. It highlights the marginal rate at any income level — the rate you would pay on the next pound you earn. This is particularly useful for understanding the 60% effective rate trap between £100,000 and £125,140.
Understanding marginal rates helps with financial planning. For example, pension contributions above £100,000 income effectively give 60% tax relief because they restore the Personal Allowance. The visualiser lets you drag an income slider and see exactly how the tax calculation changes.
Example: Visualising £85,000 salary
- Band 1: £12,570 at 0% = £0 (Personal Allowance)
- Band 2: £37,700 at 20% = £7,540 (Basic Rate)
- Band 3: £34,730 at 40% = £13,892 (Higher Rate)
- Total tax: £21,432 — effective rate: 25.2%
- Marginal rate on next £1: 40%
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Tax Bracket Visualizer do?
- See your income split across tax bands with a visual bar. Highlights the 60% tax trap at £100-125K. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Is this calculator updated for the 2025/26 tax year?
- Yes. This calculator uses the latest HMRC rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 UK tax year, which runs from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026. Rates are verified against official HMRC publications.
- Do I need to tell HMRC about this?
- Whether you need to report to HMRC depends on your individual circumstances. If you are unsure, check GOV.UK or contact HMRC directly. This calculator provides estimates for guidance only.