effectivetax.co.ukCalculator

The UK tax trap in numbers

Last reviewed 09/08/26

Last Gov update 05/06/26

These are the exact figures behind the UK tax trap, each checked against gov.uk and computed by the same engine that powers the calculator. They are free to quote. If a number here helps your article or your thread, please link back so your readers can work out their own position.

Between £100,000 and £125,140 of income, the effective marginal tax rate is about 62% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and about 70% in Scotland.
Source: GOV.UK: Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
The tax-free Personal Allowance of £12,570 is withdrawn by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000, and has gone entirely by £125,140.
Source: GOV.UK: Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
The High Income Child Benefit Charge takes Child Benefit back between £60,000 and £80,000 of income, removing all of it by the upper figure.
Source: GOV.UK: High Income Child Benefit Charge
Funded childcare hours and Tax-Free Childcare are withdrawn the moment adjusted income passes £100,000, with no taper, so they are lost at a single pound over the line.
Source: GOV.UK: 30 hours free childcare
Pension contributions receive tax relief up to an Annual Allowance of £60,000 a year, or your earnings if they are lower.
Source: GOV.UK: Tax on your private pension, Annual Allowance