How tax on £20,000 is worked out
The first £12,570 is your tax-free Personal Allowance. The rest, £7,430, is taxed in bands:
- £7,430 at 20% = £1,486.00
Total income tax: £1,486.00 a year (£123.83 a month).
National Insurance on £20,000
You pay Class 1 National Insurance on earnings above £12,570:
- £7,430 at 8% = £594.40
Total National Insurance: £594.40 a year.
£20,000 after tax in Scotland
Scottish taxpayers on £20,000 pay £1,446 income tax and take home £17,959 a year (£1,497 a month). That's £40 a year more than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. National Insurance is the same everywhere in the UK.
How £20,000 compares
A £1,000 pay rise on £20,000 would add about £60.00 a month to your take-home pay (£720 a year), because 28p of each extra pound goes on tax and National Insurance.
| Salary | Take-home a year | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| £15,000 | £14,320 | £1,193 |
| £19,000 | £17,200 | £1,433 |
| £21,000 | £18,640 | £1,553 |
| £25,000 | £21,520 | £1,793 |
| £30,000 | £25,120 | £2,093 |
These figures use the standard 1257L tax code and 2026/27 rates. Your payslip can differ slightly because payroll works out tax each pay period, and because of benefits in kind, overtime or a different tax code. For your exact situation use the take-home pay calculator, or convert pay with our hourly rate calculator and pro rata salary calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is £20,000 a month after tax?
On a £20,000 salary you take home about £1,493.30 a month in 2026/27 if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, after income tax and National Insurance and before any pension or student loan deductions.
What tax band is a £20,000 salary?
A £20,000 salary is basic rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You pay £1,486 income tax a year, an effective rate of 7.4% of your gross pay.
How much is £20,000 a year per hour?
Based on a 37.5-hour week, £20,000 a year works out at £10.26 an hour before tax. After tax and National Insurance it's about £9.19 an hour.
How much is £20,000 after tax in Scotland?
In Scotland you take home £17,959 a year (£1,497 a month), which is £40 more than in the rest of the UK because Scotland has different income tax bands.
← £19,000 after tax£21,000 after tax →
Last reviewed October 2026. Figures are estimates for guidance only.