# How much salary should I pay myself as a director?

Last updated: 19 October 2026
Category: Directors

**Quick answer:** Most single-director companies are best paying a salary of £12,570 per year (the personal allowance) and taking the rest as dividends. A £5,000 salary (the employer NI threshold) is too cautious for most directors.

## Detailed explanation

The optimal director's salary depends on your circumstances, but common strategies for 2026/27 are:

**Option 1: £12,570 (Personal Allowance)**
- Uses full personal allowance
- Employer's NI of £1,135.50 per year payable (15% of the £7,570 above £5,000)
- Employee's NI: £0
- Counts towards State Pension qualifying years
- Corporation Tax relief on £13,706 (salary + employer's NI)

**Option 2: £5,000 (Secondary Threshold)**
- At the employer's NI threshold
- No NI for employee or employer
- Below the Lower Earnings Limit (£6,708), so it does not earn a State Pension qualifying year on its own
- Corporation Tax relief on £5,000 only
- Wastes £7,570 of unused personal allowance

**Option 3: Higher salary**
- Almost never optimal: above £12,570 you pay 20% income tax, 8% employee NI and 15% employer NI
- May be required if you have student loans to repay or need a higher salary for a mortgage
- Can be beneficial if company is loss-making
- Required for higher pension contributions

**The calculation depends on**:
- Your marginal Corporation Tax rate (19% or 25%)
- Whether you have other income
- Your NI record for State Pension
- Student loan obligations
- Whether the company can claim the £10,500 Employment Allowance (it needs another employee besides a sole director)

For most profitable small companies, £12,570 plus dividends is optimal as the employer's NI cost is more than offset by Corporation Tax relief on the salary and the NI. If the company can claim Employment Allowance, the employer NI on a £12,570 salary is wiped out entirely.

Source: HMRC Personal Allowance and NI Rates 2026/27

## Real-world examples

### Sole Director with No Other Income

Sarah runs her limited company as the sole director and has no other source of income. Paying herself £12,570 uses her full personal allowance, minimizing her overall tax liability and ensuring she qualifies for state pension benefits while only incurring a small amount of Employer's NI.

### Director with Significant Other Income

John earns £40,000 per year from a separate employment. Taking a salary from his limited company up to £12,570 would mean he'd pay 20% income tax on a portion of that salary. He opts for the £5,000 option to limit additional income tax and focuses on dividends as the primary method of profit extraction.

### Multiple Directors in a Family Business

The Smith family runs a limited company with two directors, a husband and wife. They each take a salary of £12,570, utilizing both their personal allowances and reducing the company's corporation tax liability through salary expense. They then distribute remaining profits as dividends.

## Common mistakes to avoid

- Forgetting to factor in other sources of income when determining your director's salary, potentially pushing you into a higher tax bracket unnecessarily.
- Ignoring Employer's National Insurance contributions when calculating the overall cost to the company of your salary strategy; remember to account for this in your financial planning.
- Failing to keep adequate records to demonstrate that the salary paid is 'wholly and exclusively' for business purposes, potentially leading to HMRC challenges.
- Not adjusting your salary strategy when the personal allowance or NI thresholds change each tax year.

## Frequently asked questions

### What happens if I accidentally pay myself more than the personal allowance?

You'll be subject to income tax on the excess amount at your marginal rate (usually 20% for basic rate taxpayers) and could also incur Employee's National Insurance if you exceed the relevant thresholds. It's important to correct this promptly and accurately report it to HMRC.

### Does the director's salary count as an allowable business expense?

Yes, a director's salary is generally an allowable business expense, meaning it can be deducted from your company's profits before corporation tax is calculated. However, it must be 'wholly and exclusively' for business purposes and must be reasonable in relation to the duties performed.

### What if I want to contribute to a pension scheme - how does that affect my salary decision?

Pension contributions can impact your optimal salary. Employer contributions are generally corporation tax deductible. Employee contributions made from net pay reduce your taxable income. Consider the overall tax benefits when determining your salary and pension contributions.

### How often should I pay myself my director's salary?

You can pay yourself monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on your cash flow and personal preferences. However, it's crucial to maintain accurate records of all payments and report them through your payroll system in a timely manner.

## Practical tips

- Use accounting software like AccountsOS to automate your payroll calculations and ensure accurate reporting of your director's salary to HMRC through RTI (Real Time Information).
- Regularly review your salary strategy, at least annually, to account for changes in tax legislation and your personal circumstances.
- Keep detailed records of your director's duties and responsibilities within the company to support the 'wholly and exclusively' test if HMRC were to enquire.
- If you're unsure about the optimal salary for your situation, seek advice from a qualified accountant or tax advisor, who can provide tailored guidance based on your specific circumstances.

## Related questions

- [How much dividend can I take from my company?](https://accounts-os.com/questions/how-much-dividend-can-i-take)
- [Do directors pay National Insurance?](https://accounts-os.com/questions/do-directors-pay-national-insurance)