20%
Standard PAYE rate (up to the standard rate band)
40%
Higher PAYE rate above standard rate band
4%
Main PRSI rate (Class A employees)
0.5–8%
USC rate range across income bands
How Irish PAYE works
PAYE taxes the first portion of income at the standard rate (20%) and income above the Standard Rate Band at the higher rate (40%). The Standard Rate Band for a single person is €42,000 in 2024 (rising to €44,000 in 2025). For married couples with one income, it's €51,000; with two incomes, it can be up to €84,000. Tax credits (personal credit, employee credit, earned income credit) are then subtracted from the gross tax calculated.
Universal Social Charge (USC)
- 0.5% on income up to €12,012
- 2% on €12,013–€25,760
- 4% on €25,761–€70,044
- 8% on income over €70,044
- Exempt if total income is €13,000 or less; medical card holders pay a maximum of 2%
How to use the Irish income tax calculator
- Enter your annual gross salary in euros
- Select your marital status and tax year
- Enter pension contributions to reduce gross pay before USC and PAYE
- Review PAYE breakdown, USC bands, PRSI, tax credits applied, and net income
- Toggle annual, monthly, and weekly breakdowns
💡 Pension contributions reduce USC too
Occupational pension contributions reduce your gross income before USC is calculated — unlike personal (non-employer) pension contributions, which reduce PAYE but not USC. Maximising employer pension contributions is particularly tax-efficient in Ireland because it reduces all three charges.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting that USC and PRSI are separate from income tax — all three apply simultaneously
- Using outdated Standard Rate Band thresholds — Budget changes affect these annually
- Missing tax credits — the personal tax credit (€1,875 in 2024) directly reduces your tax bill
- Assuming PRSI has an upper ceiling — Class A PRSI at 4% applies to all employment income
- Not accounting for the Rent Tax Credit if you're renting — up to €750/year for renters in 2024
Related calculators
Compare with the UK Income Tax Calculator to see how PAYE systems compare between Ireland and the UK. For other OECD countries, the Australia Income Tax Calculator and New Zealand Income Tax Calculator show how similar PAYE frameworks differ in rates and structure.