SD2 Tax Code Explained (2026-27)
SD2 is a Scottish flat-rate code: all income from this job or pension is taxed at Scotland's advanced rate of 45%, with no Personal Allowance. The advanced rate band covers income from £75,001 to £125,140 in 2026-27. SD2 is issued when your other income already reaches that band, so every pound from this source is taxed at 45%.
What does tax code SD2 mean?
Tax code SD2 taxes all income from this source at 45%, Scotland's advanced rate, with no Personal Allowance. HMRC applies it when your other income already reaches the advanced band (£75,001 to £125,140 in 2026-27).
Who gets tax code SD2?
Scottish residents with high combined income, where the main source already exceeds £75,000. Directors with a salary plus a separate pension, or senior employees with a second paid role, are the usual cases. Because the Personal Allowance tapers away between £100,000 and £125,140, HMRC watches these codes closely; check your Personal Tax Account if your main income changes during the year.
Scottish Income Tax: Scotland sets its own income tax rates. For 2026-27, Scottish rates diverge meaningfully from England above ~£30,000, the 42% Higher rate kicks in at £43,663 versus £50,270 in England. National Insurance is the same as the rest of the UK.
Take-home pay on tax code SD2, 2026-27 examples
Examples below show Income Tax and take-home pay at common salary levels. National Insurance (NI) is also shown separately, NI is not affected by your tax code and applies on the same basis for all employees.
| Gross Salary | Income Tax | NI (est.) | Take-Home | Effective IT Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | £9,000 | £594 | £10,406 | 45.0% |
| £25,000 | £11,250 | £994 | £12,756 | 45.0% |
| £30,000 | £13,500 | £1,394 | £15,106 | 45.0% |
| £35,000 | £15,750 | £1,794 | £17,456 | 45.0% |
| £40,000 | £18,000 | £2,194 | £19,806 | 45.0% |
| £45,000 | £20,250 | £2,594 | £22,156 | 45.0% |
| £50,000 | £22,500 | £2,994 | £24,506 | 45.0% |
| £60,000 | £27,000 | £3,211 | £29,789 | 45.0% |
| £75,000 | £33,750 | £3,511 | £37,739 | 45.0% |
| £100,000 | £45,000 | £4,011 | £50,989 | 45.0% |
Take-home = Gross − Income Tax − National Insurance. No pension, student loan or other deductions included. NI calculated at 8% between £12,570-£50,270 and 2% above. Effective IT Rate shows Income Tax as a percentage of gross salary.
Tax code SD2 vs 1257L: take-home comparison
How much more or less you take home on SD2 compared to the standard 1257L code at the same gross salary. A negative number means less take-home pay.
| Gross Salary | 1257L Take-Home | SD2 Take-Home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | £17,920 | £10,406 | -£7,514 |
| £25,000 | £21,520 | £12,756 | -£8,764 |
| £30,000 | £25,120 | £15,106 | -£10,014 |
| £35,000 | £28,720 | £17,456 | -£11,264 |
| £40,000 | £32,320 | £19,806 | -£12,514 |
| £45,000 | £35,920 | £22,156 | -£13,764 |
| £50,000 | £39,520 | £24,506 | -£15,014 |
| £60,000 | £45,357 | £29,789 | -£15,568 |
| £75,000 | £54,057 | £37,739 | -£16,318 |
| £100,000 | £68,557 | £50,989 | -£17,568 |
Both columns include Income Tax and National Insurance. No pension or student loan deductions. 1257L = standard Personal Allowance of £12,570.
If you have tax code SD2, here's what you should know
- Your tax code appears on your payslip, P60, and any correspondence from HMRC about your PAYE tax.
- Your employer uses this code to calculate how much Income Tax to deduct from each pay period, they do not set it themselves.
- If your circumstances change (new job, change in benefits, marriage allowance), your code should update automatically, but check it anyway.
- You can view and update your tax code online via your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk.
- If you think your code is wrong, contact HMRC on 0300 200 3300 or use the HMRC app.
- An incorrect tax code can mean you overpay or underpay tax, overpayments are refunded, underpayments are collected in future years.
Frequently asked questions
What does tax code SD2 mean?
SD2 is a Scottish flat-rate code: all income from this job or pension is taxed at Scotland's advanced rate of 45%, with no Personal Allowance. The advanced rate band covers income from £75,001 to £125,140 in 2026-27. SD2 is issued when your other income already reaches that band, so every pound from this source is taxed at 45%.
Who gets tax code SD2?
Scottish residents with high combined income, where the main source already exceeds £75,000. Directors with a salary plus a separate pension, or senior employees with a second paid role, are the usual cases. Because the Personal Allowance tapers away between £100,000 and £125,140, HMRC watches these codes closely; check your Personal Tax Account if your main income changes during the year.
How much do I take home on tax code SD2 earning £30,000?
On tax code SD2 with a £30,000 salary, you take home £15,106 per year (£1,259 per month) after Income Tax of £13,500.
Is tax code SD2 correct for me?
Your tax code is set by HMRC based on your individual circumstances. If you believe your tax code is wrong, contact HMRC on 0300 200 3300 or check your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk. An incorrect code could mean you are paying too much or too little tax.
How do I change tax code SD2?
To change tax code SD2, contact HMRC directly on 0300 200 3300 or update your details via your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk. Your employer cannot change your tax code, only HMRC can issue a new one. Once HMRC updates your code, they will notify your employer and the change will appear on your next payslip.
Will I get a refund if tax code SD2 was applied in error?
If tax code SD2 was applied incorrectly and caused you to overpay Income Tax, HMRC will refund the overpayment. This typically happens automatically via a P800 tax calculation sent after the tax year ends (April). For a faster refund, contact HMRC directly once the correct code has been issued. Overpayments can also be reclaimed through Self Assessment if you file a return.
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