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🇬🇧 2026/27 · £750/week cap · £30k tax-free threshold

Redundancy & Final Pay Calculator 2026/27

Being made redundant involves multiple pay elements with different tax treatments. Calculate your total final pay, understand what's tax-free, and know your rights before you sign anything.

Your Details

£

Final Pay Elements

Enter weeks of notice you are being paid for but not working (PILON).

£

Any extra compensation offered on top of statutory redundancy.

Estimated Net Final Pay

£5,592.00

After estimated 28% tax & NI on the taxable portions.

Statutory Redundancy£3,000.00
Notice Pay (PILON)£2,400.00
Holiday Pay£1,200.00
Tax-Free Portion£3,000.00
Taxable Portion£3,600.00
Estimated Tax & NI Deducted- £1,008.00

What's included in your final redundancy pay

A redundancy final pay package is made up of multiple components — each with its own tax and NI treatment. Understanding the difference can save you from unexpected tax bills:

ComponentIncome TaxNational InsuranceNotes
Outstanding salaryFully taxableYesPay from last payslip to last day of employment
Accrued holiday payFully taxableYesAll untaken statutory leave must be paid out
Notice pay (worked)Fully taxableYesYou work your notice and receive normal pay
PILON (Payment in Lieu of Notice)Fully taxableYesAll PILON is taxable since April 2018
Statutory redundancy payTax-free up to £30kNoCapped at £22,500 (20 × £750 × 1.5)
Enhanced / ex-gratia paymentTax-free up to £30k (combined)No£30k limit shared with statutory redundancy

The £30,000 tax-free redundancy threshold — how it works

The £30,000 tax exemption applies to the total of your statutory redundancy pay and any enhanced or ex-gratia payment from your employer. The threshold covers both together — it's not £30,000 each.

Example: If you receive £8,000 statutory redundancy pay and a £28,000 settlement payment, your total qualifying payment is £36,000. The first £30,000 is tax-free. You pay income tax on the remaining £6,000 at your marginal rate (20%, 40%, or 45%).

£30,000

Tax-free threshold

for genuine redundancy payments

£750/wk

Weekly pay cap (2026/27)

for statutory redundancy calculation

£22,500

Max statutory redundancy

20 years × 1.5 weeks × £750

PILON — Payment in Lieu of Notice tax treatment

PILON means your employer pays you instead of asking you to work your notice period. Since April 2018, all PILON is fully taxable — income tax and National Insurance apply regardless of whether your contract included a PILON clause.

HMRC introduced the Post-Employment Notice Pay (PENP) rules to prevent people from sheltering notice pay inside the £30,000 tax-free threshold. Your employer must calculate your PENP and deduct tax and NI through payroll. If you work your notice period normally, the pay is taxed as earnings. If you receive PILON, the same applies.

Common mistake to avoid

Some settlement agreements still claim that PILON can be packaged as a tax-free ex-gratia payment. This is wrong under post-2018 rules and HMRC will challenge it. Always take independent legal advice before signing a settlement agreement.

Your P45 and tax after redundancy

Your employer must give you a P45 when you leave. This document shows your total pay and tax deducted in the tax year to date. Keep it safe — you'll need it to:

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Start a new job

Give your P45 to your new employer so they apply the correct tax code immediately and you don't end up on emergency tax.

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Claim a tax refund

If you don't work for the rest of the tax year after redundancy, you've likely overpaid tax. Use your P45 figures to claim a refund from HMRC via your Personal Tax Account.

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File Self Assessment

If your redundancy package was large or complex, you may need to file a Self Assessment return. Your P45 provides the necessary income figures.

Overpaid tax after redundancy? If your final payslip includes large taxable amounts (PILON, holiday pay, salary) that pushed your PAYE up, and you don't work again until April 6th, HMRC will reconcile after year-end and send a P800 refund. Read our tax refund guide for the fastest way to claim.

Frequently asked questions

How much of my redundancy pay is tax-free?
The first £30,000 of a genuine redundancy payment is free from income tax and National Insurance. This includes your statutory redundancy pay and any enhanced or ex-gratia payment from your employer. Amounts above £30,000 are taxed as normal earnings. Note: the £30,000 does not cover your notice pay (PILON) or accrued holiday — these are always taxable in full.
Do I pay tax on my PILON (Payment in Lieu of Notice)?
Yes. Since April 2018, all PILON payments are subject to income tax and National Insurance, regardless of whether your contract includes a PILON clause. HMRC requires employers to calculate the Post-Employment Notice Pay (PENP) formula and tax it accordingly. Your employer's payroll team handles this calculation. You cannot shelter PILON inside the £30,000 tax-free threshold.
What is included in my final pay when made redundant?
Your final pay when made redundant typically includes: (1) Outstanding salary up to your last day; (2) Accrued but untaken holiday pay (taxable); (3) Notice pay or PILON (taxable); (4) Statutory redundancy pay (up to £30k tax-free); (5) Any enhanced redundancy or settlement agreement payment (up to £30k combined with statutory redundancy is tax-free). Check your contract for any additional entitlements.
How is statutory redundancy pay calculated?
Statutory redundancy pay is calculated using your age, length of service (capped at 20 years), and weekly pay (capped at £750/week for 2026/27). For each year of service you receive: 0.5 weeks' pay (under 22), 1 week's pay (22–40), or 1.5 weeks' pay (41+). You must have worked for your employer for at least 2 years to qualify. The maximum statutory redundancy pay is 30 weeks × £750 = £22,500.
Will a large redundancy payment affect my tax code next year?
It might, temporarily. If your redundancy payment is large and taxable, your employer deducts PAYE at the time of payment. If you don't work for the rest of the tax year, you may have overpaid tax (since the PAYE system assumed you'd keep earning). HMRC will usually send a P800 reconciliation after April 5th. If the payment pushes your income over certain thresholds (e.g. £100,000), you may also need to file a Self Assessment return.
Can I negotiate my redundancy settlement?
Yes, and many employees don't realise this. The statutory redundancy payment is a legal minimum, not a maximum. You can negotiate an enhanced package, longer notice, outplacement support, or a reference agreement. Settlement agreements (formerly compromise agreements) are contracts where you give up your right to tribunal claims in exchange for a payment. You are legally entitled to take independent legal advice on a settlement agreement — and your employer usually pays for this.
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