Overtime Calculator
Calculate your gross overtime pay and the net after Income Tax + NI. Enter your annual salary, normal working hours, the overtime hours worked, and the multiplier (1.5x, 2x, etc.). The calculator applies your marginal tax rate to the additional earnings.
Overtime inputs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Normal hourly rate | — |
| Overtime hourly rate | — |
| Gross overtime pay | — |
| Income Tax (marginal) | — |
| National Insurance (marginal) | — |
| Net overtime pay | — |
| Effective net rate / overtime hour | — |
How UK overtime is taxed
Overtime is taxed at your marginal rate — the rate that applies to the next pound of your earnings. This depends on where your annualised total income sits in the UK tax bands:
| Band | Range | Marginal rate (Income Tax + NI) | Net per £100 overtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below allowance | £0–£12,570 | 0% (allowance) + 8% NI = 8% | £92 |
| Basic rate | £12,571–£50,270 | 20% + 8% = 28% | £72 |
| Higher rate | £50,271–£100,000 | 40% + 2% = 42% | £58 |
| Allowance taper | £100,001–£125,140 | 60% (effective) + 2% = 62% | £38 |
| Additional rate | £125,140+ | 45% + 2% = 47% | £53 |
Per-period vs annual
PAYE applies tax per pay period using year-to-date earnings. A big overtime week can temporarily push your monthly earnings into a higher band — the deduction on the overtime reflects the band that slice falls into. Subsequent weeks rebalance via cumulative calculation.
Student loan impact
Overtime increases gross earnings in that pay period. If your earnings cross the per-period threshold for your student loan plan, 9% (or 6% PGL) is deducted on the excess. A big overtime week can add £20-£80 of additional student loan deduction.
Tips for maximising overtime value
- Time it for year-end: Overtime in March/April uses the cumulative basis effectively; January-February overtime is taxed at the rate you've earned into.
- Pension sacrifice: If you're sacrificing into pension, additional earnings via overtime increase the amount you could sacrifice without reducing take-home below the comfort threshold.
- Higher-rate watch: Overtime that pushes annualised income above £50,270 hits 42%. Worth knowing if the choice is "extra overtime now or wait until April".
FAQs
How is overtime taxed in the UK?
Taxed at your marginal rate. Basic rate: 28% (20% Income Tax + 8% NI). Higher rate: 42%. Allowance taper £100k-£125,140: 62%. Additional rate: 47%.
What's the difference between 1.5x and 2x overtime?
The multiplier is your overtime rate vs your normal hourly rate. 1.5x ("time and a half") = 150% of normal. 2x ("double time") = 200%. Tax treatment is identical regardless of the multiplier.
Does overtime push me into a higher tax band?
Possibly. Overtime adds to your year-to-date earnings; if annualised total crosses £50,270, the higher-rate band applies to the slice above. The calculator shows the actual marginal rate at your salary.
How does overtime interact with student loan?
Overtime increases gross income in that pay period. If you cross the per-period threshold for your plan, 9% (or 6% PGL) applies to the excess. See the student loan calculator for plan thresholds.
Is overtime worth it?
Depends on tax band and your alternative use of time. At basic rate, £72 net per £100 gross is meaningful. At higher rate, £58 net. In the £100k taper, only £38 net — at that level the opportunity cost of time is usually higher than the cash gained.
Related calculators
- Take-Home Pay Calculator — full Income Tax + NI breakdown
- Bonus Tax Calculator — same marginal-rate maths on a bonus
- Salary Sacrifice Calculator — sacrifice overtime above £50,270
- Hourly to Salary — convert hourly rate to annual
- Pension Impact Calculator — model pension % on take-home
Related guides
- Overtime calculator guide — full guide to this calculator
- How much tax on £50,000? — marginal-rate explanation
- Higher-rate tax threshold — when you cross £50,270