Work out how much of your bonus you will actually take home after income tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan deductions. Enter your details below and the figures update as you type.
Short answers to what people ask us most.
A bonus is added to your normal pay for that period, so it can push part of your earnings into a higher tax band or above the National Insurance upper limit for that one payslip. Nothing extra is charged on the bonus itself, it is simply taxed at the rate that sits on top of your salary.
Income tax is worked out across the whole tax year, so if too much comes off in your bonus month it usually corrects itself in later payslips. National Insurance does not work that way, as it is fixed to each pay period and is not refunded.
Many employers offer bonus sacrifice, where all or part of the bonus goes straight into your pension before tax and National Insurance are taken. You keep more of the money overall, but you cannot access it until pension age. Tick the pension option above to see the difference.
Yes. Repayments are taken from everything you earn above your plan threshold in that pay period, including bonuses, at 9% for most plans and 6% for a postgraduate loan.
Clearing the debt with the highest interest first is usually the most effective use of a lump sum. If the bonus will not cover what you owe, a debt solution may be worth looking at. Our advisors will explain the pros and cons of each option, including any risks, costs, and impact on your credit file.
You take home from your bonus
If a lump sum will not cover what you owe, our debt solution finder asks a few short questions and shows which options you could be eligible for. It is free, confidential and takes about two minutes.
Figures are an estimate based on 2026/27 rates and assume a standard cumulative PAYE position with no other income or taxable benefits. Your actual payslip may differ. Advice is free but fees and disadvantages may apply if you enter a debt help solution.
