PayBreakdown - Salary Calculator & Budget Manager
Why is my take-home pay lower than expected?
Common reasons include tax code changes, emergency tax, pension deductions, student loans, salary sacrifice, bonus timing, or a different pay period.
What this page helps with
Take-home pay can be lower than expected if your tax code changed, emergency tax was used, pension deductions started, student loans applied, a bonus pushed deductions up, or the pay period does not match the estimate.
Official sources
Income Tax rates and Personal AllowancesNational Insurance rates and categoriesStudent loan repayment thresholdsPension tax reliefNational Minimum Wage and National Living Wage ratesStatutory Maternity Pay and LeaveStatutory Sick PayFCA guidance on misleading financial promotionsOff-payroll working and IR35 guidanceUnderstanding off-payroll workingSalary sacrifice for employersNHS Employers pay scales 2026/27NHS Health Careers Agenda for Change pay ratesLast updated 2026-05-07. Planning estimates only. Not financial advice.