Every calculator on PoundLogic has its own methodology page explaining the formula, the assumptions, and the data sources used. This page is the index.
Why we publish our methodology
Most online calculators are black boxes. You put numbers in, numbers come out, and you have no way to check whether the maths is right or what assumptions were made. We think that's the wrong model for a personal finance site. If our calculator disagrees with another one online, you should be able to work out which is wrong.
Every PoundLogic methodology page covers:
- The formula
- The assumptions
- The data sources (with links to primary sources)
- The limitations
Available methodology pages
Investing
- Compound Interest Calculator
- FIRE Calculator
- ISA Calculator
- ISA Millionaire Calculator
- JISA Calculator
- LISA Calculator
- Pension vs ISA
- Platform Fee Comparison
Borrowing
- Balance Transfer Calculator
- Car Finance: PCP vs HP
- Credit Card Payoff Calculator
- Debt Consolidation Calculator
- Debt Snowball vs Avalanche
- Overdraft Cost Calculator
- Personal Loan Comparison
- Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Property
- BTL Yield Calculator
- First-Time Buyer Calculator
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator
- Mortgage Comparison
- Mortgage Overpayment Calculator
- Remortgage Break-even Calculator
- Rent vs Buy Calculator
- Repayment vs Interest-Only
Tax
- Capital Gains Tax Calculator
- Child Benefit Charge Calculator
- Dividend Tax Calculator
- Income Tax & Take-Home Pay
- Inheritance Tax Calculator
- Marriage Allowance Calculator
- Pension Tax Relief Calculator
- Scotland LBTT Calculator
- Self-Employed Tax Calculator
- Stamp Duty Calculator — England
- Stamp Duty Refund Calculator
- Wales LTT Calculator
General assumptions
- Tax year: current UK tax year (6 April to 5 April). Calculators are updated within two weeks of each 6 April and each Budget.
- Currency: GBP (£). All figures are pounds sterling.
- Geography: England, Wales and Northern Ireland rates apply by default unless otherwise stated. Scottish income tax and Scottish/Welsh stamp duty equivalents (LBTT, LTT) are handled in their own dedicated calculators.
- Inflation: ignored unless explicitly modelled — figures are nominal (today's money).
- Rounding: intermediate calculations use full precision; displayed figures are rounded to the nearest pound.
Primary data sources
- Income tax bands and personal allowance: HMRC
- National Insurance rates: HMRC
- ISA / LISA / JISA allowances: HMRC
- Stamp Duty Land Tax: HMRC
- LBTT (Scotland): Revenue Scotland
- LTT (Wales): Welsh Revenue Authority
- Bank of England base rate: Bank of England
If you think any figure on this site is wrong, email [email protected] — see our corrections policy.