Each of us has a personal allowance. This is the amount we can earn without paying any Income Tax.
If you earn more than your personal allowance, you pay tax at the applicable income tax rate on all earnings above the personal allowance, but the allowance itself remains untaxed.
The standard Personal Allowance is £12,570 for the tax year 2021/22
Income tax thresholds for 2021-2022
Band | Taxable income | Tax rate |
Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
Basic rate | £12,501 to £50,270 | 20% |
Higher rate | £50,271 to £150,000 | 40% |
Additional rate | over £150,000 | 45% |