Based on current HMRC guidance and UK PAYE rulesUpdated for the current UK tax year

TaxDecod

UK salary and take-home guidance

Specialist tool

Bonus after tax calculator

See what a one-off bonus actually becomes after tax and National Insurance, then judge whether it really changes your monthly picture.

Current tax-year framing

This bonus route is designed for salary interpretation and decision support. It should be read as estimate-based guidance rather than payroll advice.

Last reviewed: 16 April 2026

Updated for 2025/26 salary interpretation

Estimate-based outputs, not financial advice

Useful for bonus vs salary decision context

Gross bonus

£5,000

Net bonus

£2,938

Lost to deductions

£2,062

Deduction drag

41%

Decision insights

A meaningful share of the bonus is lost to deductions

Bonuses often feel smaller than expected because tax and National Insurance absorb a noticeable part of the gross amount.

Net bonus is the decision number that matters

A £5,000 bonus becomes roughly £2,938 after deductions, which is about £245 per month if you spread its value across a year.

Bonus efficiency matters more at this salary level

As salary rises, bonus money can feel less efficient than users expect, so it is worth comparing a bonus against permanent salary change or pension redirection.

Compare against salary growth

Compare whether a bonus or a stronger salary band changes life more meaningfully.

Explore salary sacrifice

Judge whether redirecting money efficiently changes the outcome more intelligently.

Open the main calculator

Move back into the main salary flow for broader deduction reading.