About this data

Source: HMRC, Rates and allowances: Income Tax, National Insurance, VAT and Corporation Tax (historical tables); HM Treasury budget documents

• Some rates changed part way through a year: VAT was cut to 15% from December 2008 to December 2009, and rose to 20% in January 2011; employee National Insurance rose to 13.25% from April to November 2022, and was cut from 12% to 10% in January 2024. The chart shows the rate at the start of each year.
• Corporation tax is the main rate, on companies' profits; smaller companies have paid lower rates in some periods. Employee National Insurance is the main rate on earnings between the primary threshold and the upper earnings limit; above it, the rate is 2%.

This chart appears in Taxation.