Pension tax relief calculator
A free calculator for UK employees and sole traders: enter your income and the amount going into a pension, and see what it costs after tax relief under relief at source and, for an employee, under net pay, for the 2026/27 tax year.
How the relief works
With relief at source, the pension provider claims the basic rate of relief from the government and adds it to your pot. Higher rate and additional rate taxpayers claim the rest from HMRC, usually through their Self Assessment return. With net pay, a workplace scheme takes your contribution from pay before Income Tax, so the relief comes through payroll.
A sole trader paying into their own personal pension uses relief at source. The calculator shows what you pay in, what the provider adds, what you claim from HMRC and what is left as the cost to you. It also flags a contribution above the standard annual allowance.
What it leaves out
Scottish income tax, where relief differs: see GOV.UK. It treats your income as your only income and does not work out the tapered annual allowance, the money purchase annual allowance, carry forward, employer contributions or salary sacrifice. It is an estimate for planning, not tax advice. Rates and allowances change each tax year, so check the current figures on GOV.UK.
Common questions
Do I get higher rate pension tax relief automatically?
Under net pay, yes, through payroll. Under relief at source the provider adds only the basic rate, and you claim the rest from HMRC, usually through Self Assessment.
Is there a limit on pension contributions?
Tax relief on personal contributions is limited to the amount of your annual earnings, and the annual allowance caps what can go in before a tax charge may apply. Both are set out on GOV.UK.