How tax on £21,000 is worked out
The first £12,570 is your tax-free Personal Allowance. The rest, £8,430, is taxed in bands:
- £8,430 at 20% = £1,686.00
Total income tax: £1,686.00 a year (£140.50 a month).
National Insurance on £21,000
You pay Class 1 National Insurance on earnings above £12,570:
- £8,430 at 8% = £674.40
Total National Insurance: £674.40 a year.
£21,000 after tax in Scotland
Scottish taxpayers on £21,000 pay £1,646 income tax and take home £18,679 a year (£1,557 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 £21,000 compares
A £1,000 pay rise on £21,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| £16,000 | £15,040 | £1,253 |
| £20,000 | £17,920 | £1,493 |
| £22,000 | £19,360 | £1,613 |
| £26,000 | £22,240 | £1,853 |
| £31,000 | £25,840 | £2,153 |
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 £21,000 a month after tax?
On a £21,000 salary you take home about £1,553.30 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 £21,000 salary?
A £21,000 salary is basic rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You pay £1,686 income tax a year, an effective rate of 8.0% of your gross pay.
How much is £21,000 a year per hour?
Based on a 37.5-hour week, £21,000 a year works out at £10.77 an hour before tax. After tax and National Insurance it's about £9.56 an hour.
How much is £21,000 after tax in Scotland?
In Scotland you take home £18,679 a year (£1,557 a month), which is £40 more than in the rest of the UK because Scotland has different income tax bands.
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Last reviewed October 2026. Figures are estimates for guidance only.