Tax year and paydays calculator
The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. The 2026 to 2027 tax year started on 6 April 2026 and ends on 5 April 2027.
Tax year 2026 to 2027
- Tax year starts
- Mon, 6 Apr 2026
- Tax year ends
- Mon, 5 Apr 2027
- Days left
- 167
- Next payday
- Fri, 23 Oct 2026
52 paydays in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, the usual number.
Paydays that fall on a weekend or bank holiday are often moved, but they still count once. Monthly pay always has 12 paydays.
Weekly paydays by tax year
A tax year has 52 weeks and a day or two, so some paydays get 53.
| Tax year | Paid on Mondays | Paid on Thursdays | Paid on Fridays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| 2026 to 2027 | 53 | 52 | 52 |
| 2027 to 2028 | 52 | 52 | 52 |
| 2028 to 2029 | 52 | 53 | 52 |
UK tax year dates
| Tax year | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 6 April 2025 | 5 April 2026 |
| 2026 to 2027 | 6 April 2026 | 5 April 2027 |
| 2027 to 2028 | 6 April 2027 | 5 April 2028 |
| 2028 to 2029 | 6 April 2028 | 5 April 2029 |
How we calculate this
The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April the next year. If your date is before 6 April, it falls in the tax year that started the April before.
For paydays, we repeat your pay pattern from the payday you give, every 7, 14 or 28 days or on the same date each month, and count how many fall between 6 April and 5 April.
Questions people ask
Why does the UK tax year start on 6 April?
It dates back to the calendar change of 1752, when 11 days were dropped. The tax year was moved so that it stayed a full year, and it has started on 6 April ever since 1800.
What is week 53?
If you’re paid weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks, some tax years have one more payday than usual. Payroll calls this week 53 (or week 54 or 56), and HMRC has special rules for the tax on that payday.
When is the Self Assessment deadline?
For online returns, usually 31 January after the end of the tax year. Check GOV.UK for the exact dates for your return.
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