Pension Tax Relief Calculator
Relief at source, higher-rate claim, allowanceRuns in your browser
| Annual allowance check | |
|---|---|
| Your annual allowance | £60,000 |
| Total going in (you + employer) | £8,000 |
| Over the allowance | £0 |
For personal and relief-at-source workplace pensions. If you pay through a net pay arrangement or salary sacrifice you get full relief automatically through payroll.
These are estimates based on 2026/27 rates and the inputs you give. Your actual position can differ (other income, benefits in kind, tax code changes, scheme rules). This is not financial or tax advice.
How it works
Worked example
Input: £60,000 income in England, £4,000 paid into a personal pension.
- Gross contribution: £4,000 ÷ 0.8 = £5,000; the provider adds £1,000.
- Your basic-rate band extends by £5,000, so £5,000 moves from 40% to 20%: £1,000 extra relief to claim.
Result: £5,000 in your pension for a real cost of £3,000.
How to use
- 1Enter your taxable income for the year.
- 2Enter your personal contribution (as paid in, or gross).
- 3Add employer contributions for the annual allowance check.
- 4See the relief added automatically, the extra you can claim, and your allowance.
FAQ
How do higher-rate taxpayers claim extra pension relief?
Your provider adds 20% automatically. Claim the rest (20% more for higher rate, 25% for additional rate, less in Scotland's intermediate band) through Self Assessment or by contacting HMRC; it usually comes back by adjusting your tax code.
What is the annual allowance?
£60,000 a year of contributions from you and your employer with tax relief, tapered down to £10,000 for very high incomes, and £10,000 (the MPAA) once you've taken taxable money flexibly from a pension.