Pension tax relief calculator

Updated 7 November 2026 · ClearCost UK · 4 min read

Enter what you pay in each month and your income tax rate. The calculator shows how much is added to your pension, the relief the provider claims for you and any extra you can claim back.
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How pension tax relief works

Pension contributions get tax relief because they come out of income that would otherwise be taxed. In a relief-at-source scheme you pay in 80% and the provider claims the 20% from HMRC. In a net-pay scheme your employer takes the contribution before tax, so you get full relief at once.

Scottish taxpayers have different income tax bands, so the extra relief they can claim can differ.

Sources and further reading

Questions people ask

How is the pension tax relief calculated?
Gross contribution = net payment ÷ 0.8. Basic-rate relief is the difference. Higher-rate taxpayers can claim a further 20% of the gross amount, additional-rate taxpayers a further 25%.

Results are estimates for information only, not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.

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