UK Income Tax Basics


Income Tax

Income Tax is a tax on income. Not all income is taxable and only 'taxable income' above a certain level is taxed. There are also other reliefs and allowances that can reduce the Income Tax - and in some cases no tax is payable.

Taxable Income

Taxable income includes:

  • Earnings from employment
    Includes income from full, part-time and temporary employment.
    If you get perks or benefits from your employer these may also be taxable.
  • Earnings from self-employment
    Profits you make from working for yourself as a sole trader or partner.
  • Most pensions incomes (State, company and personal pensions)
    State Pension.
    Personal or company pensions.
    Retirement annuity.
  • Interest on most savings
    Bank and building society interest - not including Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Personal Equity Plans (PEPs).
    National Savings and Investments accounts and bonds.
  • Income from shares (dividends)
    Dividends on company shares - not including dividend income from ISAs and PEPs.
  • State benefits
    Carer's Allowance.
    Jobseeker’s Allowance.
    Employment and Support Allowance - ‘contribution’ based (if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions). Incapacity Benefit - from week 29.
    Weekly Bereavement Allowance.
  • Rental income
    From a lodger in your only or family home if more than £4,250 a year (£2,215 if split jointly).
    From a second property.
  • Income paid to you from a trust
  • Pensioner bonds.

Non-taxable Incomes

  • State benefits The most common non-taxable state benefits are:
    Disability Living Allowance.
    Attendance Allowance.
    Lump sum Bereavement Payments.
    Pension Credit.
    Free TV licence for over 75s.
    Winter Fuel Payments and Christmas Bonus.
    Housing Benefit.
    Employment and Support Allowance - income based (if you haven’t paid enough National Insurance contributions).
    First 28 weeks of Incapacity Benefit.
    Income Support - certain payments.
    Child Benefit.
    Guardian's Allowance.
    Maternity Allowance.
    Industrial Injuries Benefit.
    Severe Disablement Allowance.
    War Widow's Pension.
    Young Person's Bridging Allowance.
  • Interest on savings
    All ISAs and PEPs.
    Savings Certificates.
  • Rents
    First £4,250 a year from a lodger in your only or family home - £2,125 if split jointly.

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