One off bonus tax is high

bigash87

Hi all,
I am a bit confused about why tax would be different on my bonus to my regular salary. I earn 30k p/a and don't usually get bonuses. But this year I have us 2 on two separate occasions.
The first at the end of April was £1000 but I only received £680.
The second this month was £650 but I only received £442 after tax.
It appears the bonuses are incurring 32% tax but my main salary is around 21%-22%

Is this correct?
Should I expect to receive the difference back next April?

Thanks
Ash

Brighty

You don't pay 21-22% on your main salary. You're forgetting about your £11k tax free allowance that you've already used, and national insurance. Anything over the £11k is taxed at 20%, plus NI of 12%, so you should pay 32% on any bonus, which you have. All looks correct to me

Brighty

Darksparkle

Agree with Brighty, your salary already used your tax and NI allowances. The amounts you are receiving are still within the basic rate so 20% tax and 12% NIC.

bigash87

Yes true, I had forgotten about tax free allowance.

Thanks for your help