The additional tax rate is the highest income tax rate in the United Kingdom. It is due on the income exceeding £125,140 each tax year.

How does income tax work?

Everyone in the UK who makes more than £12,570 yearly must pay income tax. The Personal Allowance is the first £12,570 of income tax-free income.

Take a look at the tax rates for the financial year 2025/26:

Income	Tax rate
Up to £12,570	0%	Personal allowance
£12,571 to £50,270	20%	Basic rate
£50,271 to £125,140	40%	Higher rate
Over £125,140	45%	Additional rate

Additional rate tax example

On incomes beyond £125,140 in the 2025/2026 tax year, the additional rate is 45%. For instance, you are an additional rate taxpayer if your annual income is over £170,000. Any income over £125,140 is subject to a 45% tax rate.

In this scenario, that’s broken down like this:

● 45% on £44,860
● 40% on £74,870
● 20% on £50,270 (Personal allowance reduced to zero)

When do I have to pay the 60% tax?

When you earn more than £100,000, you begin to lose your Personal Allowance claim. For every £2 you make beyond £100,000, you lose £1.

However, you won’t be taxed at 45% until you earn more than £125,140, meaning that between £100,000 and £125,140, you’ll be taxed an extra 20% on the Personal Allowances you’re losing.