How much is Child Benefit in 2025/26?

From April 2025, Child Benefit is £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child (£1,354.60/year) and £17.25 per week for each additional child (£897.00/year). It is paid every 4 weeks and is not means-tested — but may be clawed back via HICBC if a parent earns over £60,000.

What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)?

HICBC is a tax charge that claws back Child Benefit when the higher-earning parent has adjusted net income over £60,000. The charge is 1% of the benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000. At £80,000, 100% of the benefit is clawed back. You must register for Self Assessment to pay it.

Can pension contributions reduce my HICBC?

Yes. Pension contributions (both personal contributions with tax relief and salary sacrifice) reduce your adjusted net income. If contributions bring your income below £60,000, HICBC is eliminated entirely. This makes pension contributions especially tax-efficient for parents earning between £60,000 and £80,000.

Child Benefit Calculator

Calculate your Child Benefit entitlement for 2025/26, see how the High Income Child Benefit Charge affects your family, and decide whether to claim or opt out.

Calculate your weekly, monthly and annual Child Benefit entitlement

Number of children

Children under 16 (or under 20 in approved education)

Age of eldest child

Age of youngest child

Project benefit to age

16 = standard, 18/20 = approved education/training

Guardian's Allowance eligible?

If raising a child whose parents have died

—

Try another scenario

How to Use This Calculator

Benefit Amount tab

The default tab. Enter your number of children and their ages. The calculator shows your weekly Child Benefit rate, monthly equivalent, annual total, and a projection of total benefit until each child reaches age 16, 18, or 20. Enable Guardian's Allowance in "More options" if applicable.

HICBC (High Income Child Benefit Charge) tab

Enter the higher earner's income from all sources — employment, self-employment, rental, dividends, and pension. See the exact HICBC percentage, tax charge, and net benefit after clawback. Expand "More options" to add pension contributions and salary sacrifice that reduce your adjusted net income.

Opt Out or Claim? tab

The decision tab. Enter your income, number of children, and whether your partner works. See a side-by-side comparison of claiming and paying HICBC vs opting out entirely vs claiming but opting out of payments. The calculator recommends the best option for your family, factoring in NI credits for State Pension.

Share your result

Every input is encoded in the URL. Click Share to send your exact scenario to a partner, accountant, or financial adviser.

The Formula

Child Benefit rates for 2025/26 (from April 2025):

Weekly Benefit = £26.05 (eldest) + £17.25 × (additional children)

Annual Benefit = £1,354.60 (eldest) + £897.00 × (additional children)

HICBC applies if higher earner's adjusted net income > £60,000:
HICBC % = (Income − £60,000) ÷ £200 (capped at 100%)
HICBC Charge = Annual Benefit × HICBC %
Net Benefit = Annual Benefit − HICBC Charge

The HICBC threshold was raised from £50,000 to £60,000 in April 2024, and the taper was halved from 1% per £100 to 1% per £200. This means the full clawback point moved from £60,000 to £80,000 — benefiting around 170,000 families.

Adjusted net income is your total taxable income minus pension contributions (relief at source) and Gift Aid donations. Salary sacrifice pension contributions reduce your gross income directly, making them especially powerful for avoiding HICBC.

Example

Sophie — Marketing Manager, 2 children, income £68,000

Sophie earns £68,000 from her employer. Her partner James works part-time earning £18,000. They have two children aged 4 and 7. Sophie makes no additional pension contributions beyond her workplace auto-enrolment (which is via salary sacrifice at £0 extra beyond default).

Benefit Amount tab

Eldest child (age 7)£26.05/week

Additional child (age 4)£17.25/week

Total weekly£43.30/week

Annual total£2,251.60

HICBC tab

Income over £60,000£8,000

HICBC percentage40%

HICBC charge£900

Net Child Benefit£1,351/year

Sophie still keeps £1,351 per year after HICBC. If she increased pension contributions by £8,000/year, her adjusted net income drops to £60,000, eliminating HICBC entirely — saving £900/year in tax while building her pension.

FAQ

How much is Child Benefit per week in 2025/26? ▼

From April 2025, the eldest or only child receives £26.05 per week (£1,354.60 per year). Each additional child receives £17.25 per week (£897.00 per year). Payments are made every 4 weeks, not monthly. These rates apply for the 2025/26 tax year.

What is the HICBC threshold for 2025/26? ▼

The High Income Child Benefit Charge starts when the higher-earning parent's adjusted net income exceeds £60,000. The charge is 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000. At £80,000, 100% of the benefit is clawed back. This threshold was raised from £50,000 to £60,000 in April 2024.

How do I reduce or avoid HICBC? ▼

The most effective way is to make pension contributions. Personal pension contributions and salary sacrifice reduce your adjusted net income. If you earn £68,000, contributing £8,000 to a pension brings your adjusted net income to £60,000 — completely eliminating HICBC. You get tax relief on the pension contribution too, making it doubly efficient. Gift Aid donations also reduce adjusted net income.

Should I claim Child Benefit if I earn over £80,000? ▼

Yes, if your partner is not working or earns below the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit (£6,396 in 2025/26). Claiming Child Benefit — even if you opt out of receiving payments — gives the non-working partner NI credits towards their State Pension. Each qualifying year is worth approximately £329 in annual pension. You can claim and tick “do not pay” to avoid having to register for Self Assessment.

When does Child Benefit stop? ▼

Child Benefit stops on 31 August after your child turns 16. However, you can continue to receive it until your child is 20 if they stay in approved full-time education (A-levels, Scottish Highers, T-levels, NVQs up to Level 3) or an approved training programme. University and higher education do NOT count. You must notify HMRC when your child leaves education.

Related Calculators

Add This Calculator to Your Website

Embed the sum.money Child Benefit Calculator on your site. Free, responsive, always up-to-date.