Pension Tax Relief Calculator

See how much tax relief you get on UK pension contributions, and how much higher-rate relief to claim back.

Your taxable income (before the contribution)	£70,000
Amount you pay in	£8,000
Scheme type	Relief at source (personal / SIPP)
Scottish taxpayer	No

Your taxable income (before the contribution)

Amount you pay in

Scheme type

Scottish taxpayer

Total tax relief

£4,000.00

Your provider adds £2,000.00 (basic-rate relief), making £10,000.00 in your pension. Claim a further £2,000.00 through Self Assessment or by contacting HMRC. The real cost to you is £6,000.00.

Where the £10,000 in your pension comes from

Your real cost60%: £6,000.00
Basic-rate relief added by your provider20%: £2,000.00
Extra relief you claim20%: £2,000.00

About the Pension Tax Relief Calculator

Pension contributions get income tax relief at your highest rate. Under relief at source (personal pensions, SIPPs and many workplace schemes), you pay 80% and your provider claims 20% from HMRC; higher and additional-rate taxpayers claim the extra through Self Assessment, which many people miss. Under net pay arrangements, contributions come off your pay before tax, so full relief is automatic. Contributions over £100,000 of income can also restore some of the Personal Allowance, giving very high effective relief.

The formula

Total relief = tax on income − tax on (income − gross contribution)

Worked example

Example: Total tax relief = £4,400.00

Inputs: Your taxable income (before the contribution): £77,000; Amount you pay in: £8,800; Scheme type: Relief at source (personal / SIPP); Scottish taxpayer: No.
Formula: Total relief = tax on income − tax on (income − gross contribution)
Result: Total tax relief = £4,400.00

Questions people ask

Can I backdate higher-rate relief?

Yes, for up to four previous tax years.

Do non-taxpayers get relief?

Yes, under relief at source, on up to £3,600 gross a year.

Sources

The rules and rates this calculator uses come from the official pages below. Its results are estimates, not an official determination, and rules change, so check the latest figures there before you act on them.

GOV.UK: Pension tax relief