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New Zealand vs United Kingdom: Taxes & Take-Home Pay 2026

On a $100,000 salary you keep $71,142 in New Zealand and $71,937 in United Kingdom — $794 more per year in United Kingdom ($66 a month). Single filer, standard deductions.

Updated 2026-10-03 · International figures converted at the exchange rate noted in sources; salaries entered in US dollars. Excludes retirement, health and cost-of-living differences.

Take-home pay at every salary

Gross salaryNew ZealandUnited KingdomDifference
$40,000$31,666 (20.8% tax)$33,446 (16.4% tax)-$1,780
$60,000$44,831 (25.3% tax)$47,846 (20.3% tax)-$3,015
$75,000$54,618 (27.2% tax)$57,437 (23.4% tax)-$2,819
$100,000$71,142 (28.9% tax)$71,937 (28.1% tax)-$794
$150,000$101,703 (32.2% tax)$97,339 (35.1% tax)$4,365
$250,000$162,703 (34.9% tax)$147,230 (41.1% tax)$15,474
0%26%53%79%105%$20,000$160,000$300,000

Where the money goes at $100,000

Income tax
$27,319
$23,409
ACC earners' levy
$1,538
$0
Class 1 National Insurance (main rate)
$0
$3,981
Class 1 National Insurance (above UEL)
$0
$673

About taxes in New Zealand

  • New Zealand has no tax-free allowance: income tax starts at 10.5% on the first $15,600, then 17.5% to $53,500, 30% to $78,100, 33% to $180,000 and 39% above.
  • These thresholds have applied since 1 April 2025 and are unchanged for the 2026/27 tax year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027).
  • The ACC earners' levy for 2026/27 is $1.75 per $100 (1.75%) on earnings up to $156,641, a maximum of $2,741.22 (up from 1.67% in 2025/26).
  • KiwiSaver contributions are voluntary for employees and are not deducted here.
  • Tax credits such as the independent earner tax credit and Working for Families, and student loan repayments, are not modelled.

About taxes in United Kingdom

  • For 2026/27 the Personal Allowance is £12,570, the basic rate of 20% applies to the first £37,700 of taxable income, 40% up to £125,140 and 45% above (England).
  • The Personal Allowance falls by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income above £100,000, so it is fully withdrawn at £125,140.
  • Employee Class 1 National Insurance for 2026/27 is 8% on earnings between the Primary Threshold (£242 a week, £12,570 a year) and the Upper Earnings Limit (£967 a week, £50,270 a year), and 2% above.
  • The calculator applies National Insurance on annual earnings; in practice it is assessed per pay period, so irregular pay can produce slightly different results.
  • Student loan repayments, pension contributions, the Marriage Allowance and Scottish rates are not modelled.

Salary needed to keep the same take-home

If you move between New Zealand and United Kingdom, this is the gross salary (in US dollars) that leaves the same take-home pay after income tax and employee contributions.

Salary in New ZealandTake-homeSame take-home in United Kingdom needsDifference
$50,000$38,306$46,749−$3,251 (-6.5%)
$75,000$54,618$70,140−$4,860 (-6.5%)
$100,000$71,142$98,630−$1,370 (-1.4%)
$150,000$101,703$163,293+$13,293 (8.9%)

Tax on your next $1,000

The marginal rate — the share of a raise that goes to tax and contributions — often matters more than the average rate.

SalaryNew ZealandUnited Kingdom
$40,00031.8%28.0%
$75,00034.7%42.0%
$100,00033.0%42.0%
$150,00039.0%62.0%
$250,00039.0%47.0%

What employers pay on top

Employer payroll and social contributions are not deducted from your pay, but they affect what employers can afford to offer.

New Zealand

  • KiwiSaver employer contribution: 3.50% — Compulsory minimum of 3.5% of gross pay for employees who are KiwiSaver members (from 1 April 2026); employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) is deducted from it.

United Kingdom

  • Employer Class 1 National Insurance: 15.00% — 15% on earnings above the Secondary Threshold of £96 a week (about £5,000 a year) for 2026/27, with no upper limit.
  • Workplace pension (auto-enrolment minimum): 3.00% — At least 3% of qualifying earnings (£6,240 to £50,270) for auto-enrolled staff.

Typical pay and minimum wage

New ZealandUnited Kingdom
Median earnings1,419 NZD ($796) — median weekly earnings from wages and salaries (Stats NZ Household Labour Force Survey), June 2026 quarter39,039 GBP ($51,535) — median gross annual earnings, full-time employees (ONS ASHE), April 2025
Minimum wage23.95 NZD/hour ($13.44), from 1 April 2026 (adult minimum wage)12.71 GBP/hour ($16.78), from 1 April 2026 (National Living Wage, age 21+)

How the two tax systems differ

New ZealandUnited Kingdom
Tax year1 April 2026 – 31 March 20276 April 2026 – 5 April 2027
Filing a tax returnInland Revenue automatically assesses people whose only income is salary, wages or already-taxed interest, so most employees never file a return.Most employees pay through PAYE and never file a return; Self Assessment is needed mainly for self-employment over £1,000, untaxed income such as rent or investments, or Capital Gains Tax owed.
Consumption taxGST 15%. A single 15% rate on most goods and services, including food.VAT 20% (reduced: 5% (e.g. home energy, children’s car seats); 0% on most food and children’s clothes)
RetirementKiwiSaver is voluntary but new employees are automatically enrolled and can opt out; members contribute at least 3.5% of gross pay (4%, 6%, 8% or 10% are also available) and the employer adds at least 3.5%.Employers must auto-enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension; the legal minimum is 8% of qualifying earnings, of which the employee pays 5% (including tax relief) and the employer at least 3%. Workers can opt out.
HealthcarePublic health care is funded from general taxation with no health levy on pay; accident injuries are covered separately by ACC, funded in part by the 1.75% ACC earners’ levy.The NHS is funded mainly from general taxation and National Insurance and is free at the point of use for residents; there is no separate health premium or levy on pay.
Capital gainsThere is no general capital gains tax; profits on residential property sold within 2 years (the bright-line test) and on assets bought to resell are taxed as income.Gains above the £3,000 annual exempt amount are taxed at 18% within the basic-rate band and 24% above it.

Frequently asked questions

Is New Zealand or United Kingdom better for taxes?

At $100,000, United Kingdom leaves you $794 more per year after income and payroll taxes. The gap widens at higher incomes ($15,474 at $250,000).

How much is $60,000 after tax in New Zealand and United Kingdom?

$44,831 in New Zealand and $47,846 in United Kingdom.

Sources

Figures are taken from official government publications and were last reviewed on 2026-10-03.

  1. Inland Revenue – Tax rates for individuals
  2. Inland Revenue – ACC earners' levy rates
  3. ACC – Levy Guidebook 2026/27
  4. European Central Bank – euro foreign exchange reference rates
  5. GOV.UK – Income Tax rates and allowances for current and past years
  6. GOV.UK – Rates and thresholds for employers: National Insurance 2026 to 2027
  7. Inland Revenue – GST
  8. Inland Revenue – Employer contributions to KiwiSaver and complying funds
  9. Inland Revenue – What happens at the end of the tax year
  10. Inland Revenue – The bright-line test
  11. Employment New Zealand – Minimum wage rates and types
  12. Stats NZ – Labour market statistics (income): June 2026 quarter
  13. GOV.UK – VAT rates
  14. GOV.UK – Workplace pensions: what you, your employer and the government pay
  15. GOV.UK – Capital Gains Tax rates
  16. GOV.UK – Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return
  17. GOV.UK – National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
  18. ONS – Employee earnings in the UK: 2025 (ASHE)
  19. Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments incl. OBBBA)
  20. IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026, including OBBBA amendments
  21. IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500