What are the income tax bands?
20% on income between £12,570 and £50,270, 40% above that, and 45% at the very top.
Last checked 12/09/2026.
For 2026/27 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
| Band | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,570 to £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,270 to £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
The rates are stepped, not cliff-edged. Crossing into the higher rate does not mean everything you earned is taxed at 40%, only the part above the threshold. People give up work they should have taken because they misread this.
Scotland has its own income tax bands and rates, set by the Scottish Parliament. If your main home is in Scotland, these apply instead for 2026/27, with the same personal allowance. National Insurance is the same across the UK either way.
| Band | Income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Starter rate | £12,571 to £16,537 | 19% |
| Basic rate | £16,538 to £29,526 | 20% |
| Intermediate rate | £29,527 to £43,662 | 21% |
| Higher rate | £43,663 to £75,000 | 42% |
| Advanced rate | £75,001 to £125,140 | 45% |
| Top rate | Over £125,140 | 48% |
JoltMile works out which applies from your home postcode, and you can change it under Tax in Settings.
For a delivery driver the bands are applied to profit, not to what the platforms paid you. Mileage relief alone usually takes a third or more off turnover.
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