UK Money Tools Child Benefit Calculator
Estimate your Child Benefit and any High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Step 1
Your figures
Enter your details below. Your estimate updates automatically.
About this calculator
Estimate your Child Benefit and any High Income Child Benefit Charge.
What this calculator covers
How it works and calculation method
The calculator selects the configured rate set for the calculation date. It combines the weekly amount for the eldest or only child with the amount for each additional child and multiplies by 52. For 2026 to 2027 those configured rates are £27.05 and £17.90. It then estimates the High Income Child Benefit Charge from the higher earner's adjusted net income: 1% of benefit for every complete £200 above £60,000, capped at 100% at £80,000.
The after-charge figure subtracts the estimated tax charge from gross annual benefit for budgeting. Child Benefit and the tax charge remain separate in practice; HMRC does not use this result to reduce each benefit payment.
Eligibility and scope
Enter children for whom Child Benefit is payable and the higher earner's individual adjusted net income, not combined household income or salary alone. The tool does not establish responsibility for a child, decide which partner is liable, or check whether a child remains in qualifying education or training.
Worked example
For one eligible child throughout 2026 to 2027, £27.05 × 52 gives estimated gross annual Child Benefit of £1,406.60. Adjusted net income of £67,600 is 38 complete £200 increments above £60,000, so the estimated charge is 38%: £534.51. The after-charge budgeting amount is about £872.09. The family may still receive the gross benefit and pay the charge through tax, so cash timing differs.
Limitations and assumptions
The model assumes every entered child qualifies for the whole annual comparison. It does not prorate births, new claims, a child ceasing to qualify or changes of claimant. Monthly figures are annual amounts divided by 12 and do not reproduce HMRC's normal four-weekly payments. Work out adjusted net income using HMRC guidance and confirm filing or PAYE obligations separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is this figure guaranteed?
This estimate uses dated standard Child Benefit rates and the higher earner's adjusted net income. HMRC pays Child Benefit separately and collects any High Income Child Benefit Charge through tax.
Is the after-charge estimate what HMRC pays me?
No. Gross Child Benefit and the High Income Child Benefit Charge are shown separately. The after-charge figure subtracts the estimated tax charge for budgeting; it does not describe a reduced benefit payment from HMRC.
What do the monthly figures mean?
They are monthly equivalents of the annual estimates, intended for budgeting. They do not predict the timing or amount of individual benefit payments or tax collections.
How does adjusted net income affect the estimate?
The calculator applies the configured High Income Child Benefit Charge rules to the higher earner’s adjusted net income. The estimated charge increases in complete configured income steps between the lower and upper thresholds, and can reach the full gross benefit amount.
Can I enter salary instead of adjusted net income?
Not reliably. Adjusted net income can differ from salary because it can include other income and certain deductions. Use an adjusted net income estimate and check HMRC guidance if you are unsure what to include.
Guides for your next step
- Child Benefit and the High Income Child Benefit Charge: a planning guide
Learn why Child Benefit and its tax charge are separate, how the £60,000 to £80,000 taper works and what opting out of payments does not remove.
- Adjusted net income for the Child Benefit tax charge
Understand why salary is not always the right input for the High Income Child Benefit Charge and which records to gather for an estimate.