Pension Tax Relief Calculator

Pension Tax Relief Calculator

If you’re a higher-rate (40%) or additional-rate (45%) taxpayer paying into a personal pension or SIPP, you can claim extra tax relief HMRC doesn’t give you automatically. Find out how much.

Your income tax band Basic rate (20%) — earn up to £50,270 Higher rate (40%) — earn £50,271 to £125,140 Additional rate (45%) — earn over £125,140

Based on your total taxable income for the year (England, Wales, Northern Ireland).

Pension scheme type Relief at source (most personal pensions / SIPPs) Net pay arrangement (NHS, teachers, civil service) Salary sacrifice I don’t know

Don’t know? Most workplace pensions on payslips are net pay or salary sacrifice. Personal pensions opened with providers like Vanguard, AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown are relief at source.

Gross pension contribution this year (£)

The total going into the pension including the 20% basic-rate top-up. If you paid in £4,000 from your bank, the gross is £5,000.

Years to claim for (1 to 4) 1 year (this tax year only) 2 years 3 years 4 years (maximum backdate) Calculate refund

This estimate is for England, Wales and Northern Ireland for tax year 2026/27. Scottish tax bands differ and aren’t covered here. Your actual relief depends on your specific circumstances, including total income, other tax reliefs, and your scheme type. Source: GOV.UK Pension Tax Relief.