| Yearly | Monthly | Weekly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £21,000 | £1,750 | £404 |
| Income Tax | −£1,686 | −£141 | −£32 |
| National Insurance | −£674 | −£56 | −£13 |
| Take-home pay | £18,640 | £1,553 | £358 |
You keep about 89% of your gross pay. Figures use the 2026/27 rates with a standard 1257L tax code, no pension and no student loan.
- Take-home pay£18,64089%
- Income tax£1,6868%
- National Insurance£6743%
What is £21,000 after tax?
If you earn £21,000 a year in the UK, you take home £18,640 after deductions in the 2026/27 tax year — roughly £1,553 a month. An estimated £1,686 of Income Tax and £674 of employee National Insurance would be deducted through PAYE before you're paid. The first £12,570 of your salary is covered by the tax-free personal allowance. Your whole salary sits within the basic-rate band, so the next £1 you earn is taxed at 20% plus 8% National Insurance — a 28% marginal rate. A workplace pension or salary sacrifice comes out before tax, and a student loan would take a further 9% of earnings above your plan threshold.
This is the standard take-home. Paying into a pension, repaying a student loan, or living in Scotland (which has its own Income Tax bands) will change the figure — the take-home pay calculator lets you add all of those.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is £21,000 after tax?
£21,000 a year is £18,640 after tax in the 2026/27 tax year — that's about £1,553 a month or £358 a week. You pay £1,686 in Income Tax and £674 in National Insurance, keeping roughly 89% of your gross pay. This assumes a standard 1257L tax code with no pension or student loan deductions.
How much is £21,000 a year per month after tax?
£21,000 a year works out at about £1,553 a month after Income Tax and National Insurance. Before tax, £21,000 ÷ 12 is £1,750 a month gross.
How much tax do I pay on £21,000?
On a £21,000 salary you pay £1,686 in Income Tax and £674 in employee National Insurance for 2026/27 — £2,360 in total. The first £12,570 of your salary is covered by the tax-free personal allowance. Your whole salary sits within the basic-rate band, so the next £1 you earn is taxed at 20% plus 8% National Insurance — a 28% marginal rate. A workplace pension or salary sacrifice comes out before tax, and a student loan would take a further 9% of earnings above your plan threshold.
Does this include pension or student loan?
No — this figure is the standard take-home with just Income Tax and National Insurance on a 1257L tax code. Pension contributions, a student loan plan, salary sacrifice or living in Scotland will change it. Use the full take-home calculator to add those.
Sources — official UK figures
Last reviewed June 2026 against official rates · How we calculate →
Results are for illustrative purposes only and assume a single employment with a standard tax code. For personalised tax advice, consult a qualified accountant or HMRC directly.