Child Benefit rates and the high income charge
UK Child Benefit is £26.05 a week for your eldest or only child and £17.25 a week for each additional child in 2025/26, which is about £1,354 and £897 a year. If you or your partner has an individual income over £60,000 you pay some of it back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge: 1 percent for every £200 over £60,000, so it is fully clawed back once income reaches £80,000. It is based on the higher earner's income, not household income, and you can still claim to protect your State Pension even if you opt out of payments.
Child Benefit rates (2025/26)
| Child | Per week | Per year (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest or only child | £26.05 | £1,354.60 |
| Each additional child | £17.25 | £897.00 |
The High Income Child Benefit Charge
| Higher earner's income | What happens |
|---|---|
| Income under £60,000 | No charge. You keep all your Child Benefit. |
| Income £60,000 to £80,000 | Partial charge: 1% of your Child Benefit for every £200 of income over £60,000. |
| Income £80,000 or more | The charge equals the full Child Benefit, so it is all clawed back. |
The charge is based on one person's adjusted net income, not the household total, so two earners on £55,000 each pay nothing while a single earner on £75,000 pays. Since October 2025 employed people can pay the charge through PAYE instead of Self Assessment.
Last updated 2026-06-25. Compiled by BabyData from gov.uk and HMRC. Rates change each April and the thresholds can change at fiscal events; check gov.uk for the current figures before acting.
Common questions
Should I still claim if I earn over £80,000?
Yes, it is usually worth claiming and then opting out of payments. Claiming gives a parent National Insurance credits that protect their State Pension while caring for a child under 12, and gets the child a National Insurance number automatically.
Is the charge based on household income?
No. It is based on the higher earner's individual adjusted net income. Two partners earning £55,000 each (£110,000 between them) pay no charge, but a single earner on £75,000 does.
How do I pay the charge?
Through Self Assessment, or, since October 2025, through your PAYE tax code if your income is taxed through an employer or pension. You can also reduce or avoid the charge by lowering your adjusted net income, for example through pension contributions.
Sources: gov.uk Child Benefit · gov.uk High Income Child Benefit Charge.