Irish USC Calculator (2026)
Calculate your Universal Social Charge for any Irish salary or pension. Updated for 2026 bands, with built-in handling for the reduced-rate concession that applies to medical-card holders and people aged 70+.
Annual USC
€883
€73.57 per month · €16.98 per week
Effective USC rate
1.96%
USC ÷ gross income
Annual income
€45,000
As entered
Band-by-band breakdown
| Band | Income in band | Rate | USC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to €12,012 (0.5%) | €12,012 | 0.5% | €60.06 |
| €12,012 - €28,700 (2%) | €16,688 | 2.0% | €333.76 |
| €28,700 - €70,044 (3%) | €16,300 | 3.0% | €489.00 |
| Total USC | €882.82 |
This calculator estimates Universal Social Charge for PAYE-style income using the 2026 bands. It does not include the 3% self-employed USC surcharge on non-PAYE income above €100,000, and assumes your income is USC-liable (Department of Social Protection payments and DIRT-taxed deposit interest are excluded). Verify against your payslip or Revenue myAccount before acting.
How USC works in 2026
The Universal Social Charge (USC) is a tax on gross income introduced in 2011. It sits alongside income tax and PRSI on every Irish payslip and applies to almost all earned and pension income with very few deductions.
Standard 2026 bands
- 0.5% on income up to €12,012.
- 2% on income from €12,012 to €27,382.
- 4% on income from €27,382 to €70,044.
- 8% on income above €70,044.
Exemption
If your aggregate annual income is €13,000 or less, you pay no USC at all. Once you cross €13,000, USC becomes due on the full amount from the first euro: the exemption is a cliff, not an allowance.
Reduced rate (medical-card holders and over-70s)
People holding a full medical card and people aged 70 or over qualify for a reduced-rate calculation if their total income is €60,000 or less. Under the reduced rate the top USC rate is capped at 2%: 0.5% on the first €12,012, then 2% on everything above that. This concession does not apply once income exceeds €60,000 - at that point the standard bands apply to the entire amount.
What USC does not apply to
- Department of Social Protection payments (Jobseeker, State Pension, Illness Benefit, etc.).
- Deposit interest already subject to DIRT.
- Statutory redundancy payments.
- Most maintenance payments.
Self-employed surcharge
Self-assessed individuals with non-PAYE income above €100,000 pay an additional 3% USC surcharge on the excess (giving a top rate of 11% on that slice). This calculator focuses on PAYE-style USC; if you are a sole trader earning above €100,000, add the surcharge on the band over €100k separately.
FAQs
What is the USC exemption threshold for 2026?
If your total annual income is €13,000 or less, you are exempt from USC. As soon as you cross €13,000, USC becomes due on the entire amount, starting from the first euro at the lowest band rate.
What are the standard USC bands for 2026?
0.5% on the first €12,012; 2% on income from €12,012 to €27,382; 4% on income from €27,382 to €70,044; 8% on income above €70,044. PAYE employees pay USC at these rates by default.
Who qualifies for the reduced rate of USC?
Medical-card holders and people aged 70 or over qualify for the reduced rate if their aggregate income is €60,000 or less. Reduced-rate filers pay 0.5% up to €12,012 and 2% on the rest, capping out at 2% rather than 4% or 8%.
Is USC charged on pension income or social welfare?
USC applies to most employment, self-employment and pension income. It does not apply to Department of Social Protection payments (Jobseeker, State Pension, Illness Benefit) or to deposit interest already subject to DIRT.
How is USC different from PRSI and income tax?
USC is a separate charge from income tax and PRSI: it has its own bands, no personal credits, and applies to gross income with very few deductions. You will see all three on your Irish payslip as distinct deductions.
Related calculators
Irish Take-Home Calculator →
Net pay after income tax, USC and PRSI combined.
PRSI Calculator →
Estimate Class A PRSI on any Irish salary.
Irish Income Tax →
Standard and higher-rate income tax with credits.
AI Payslip Checker →
Upload a payslip photo for full AI-powered analysis.
PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, payroll, accounting, pension, benefits or employment advice. Always verify your payslip, tax code, deductions and take-home pay with your employer's payroll department, HMRC, your pension provider, a qualified accountant, tax adviser or another appropriately qualified professional.