The header
Look for your tax code, NI number, NI category letter and pay period. The tax code is the most important single line: if it's wrong, your tax is wrong.
Payments
Basic pay, overtime, bonuses, holiday pay and any taxable allowances. Added together, they're your gross pay for the period.
Deductions
| Line | What it is |
|---|---|
| PAYE tax | Income Tax for this period |
| NI / NIC | Your employee National Insurance |
| Pension | Your contribution (employer's share may be shown separately) |
| SL / PGL | Student or postgraduate loan repayment |
| Other | Salary sacrifice, union fees, give-as-you-earn and similar |
Year-to-date figures
Totals since 6 April. Comparing 'taxable pay to date' and 'tax paid to date' with an estimate from our calculator is the quickest way to spot if you're being over- or under-taxed.
Compare matching lines
Keep this month's figures separate from year-to-date totals. Start with gross pay, then identify the deduction responsible for a change; comparing only the final bank payment can hide the explanation.
Try it with your own numbers
Find your UK take-home pay after tax, NI, pension and student loan for 2026/27.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'taxable pay' mean on a payslip?
Gross pay minus anything deducted before tax, such as net pay pension contributions or salary sacrifice.
Check it on GOV.UK: Income Tax rates and allowances (opens GOV.UK in a new tab)
Sources
Tax year 2026/27. Check these official sources for current rules and deadlines.
Related calculators
- Take Home Pay Calculator — Find your UK take-home pay after tax, NI, pension and student loan for 2026/27.
Related guides
- Tax Codes Explained — What your tax code means, from 1257L to K codes, BR, D0, NT and emergency codes, and what to do if yours looks wrong.
- How PAYE Tax Works — A plain-English explanation of PAYE: how employers deduct tax, what cumulative coding means, and why your payslip changes month to month.
- What Is a P60? — What a P60 shows, when you should receive it and when you'll need it, from mortgages to tax refunds.