What is the ADHD Tax? (And How to Reduce It)
If you have ever wondered, “Why does managing money feel so much harder for me?” you are not alone. Many young people and adults with ADHD use a phrase you might’ve heard online or in conversation with them: the ADHD tax.
What is the ADHD tax?
ADHD tax is the extra work, resources, and time that people with ADHD put into things that might be easier for other people. Even though it's not a tax or a specific cost, it still costs money. It’s a community term used to describe all the extra costs that add up because of ADHD-related challenges.
These difficulties aren’t your fault. Small inefficiencies turn into big price tags when a world made for neurotypical brains meets executive function differences in ADHD.
With this blog, we want to explain what the ADHD tax is, why it happens, and how to redesign your money systems gently so you keep more of your hard-earned cash and peace of mind.
What ADHD tax looks like in everyday life
Recently, a friend told me that her mom was diagnosed with ADHD in her late 30s. It came with a strange mix of emotions - relief, grief, understanding… and a lot of shame.
Suddenly, so many things made sense. The constant stress around bills. The feeling of always being behind. The moments where money problems seemed to spiral out of nowhere, even when she was trying so hard to keep things together.
As one of England's estimated 2.5 million ADHD patients (NHS England, 2025) , including those who haven't been diagnosed, you may have experienced the ADHD tax in these ways:
Late fees + penalties
You mean to pay a bill, but time flies, and the late fee hits your account. A survey (Monzo UK, 2022) in the UK found people with ADHD report extra costs averaging around £1,600 per year, partly because of missed or late payments.
Replacing lost things
Keys, chargers, wallets, you know the drill. You buy a replacement only to find the original days later. These “lost-and-found” moments add up.
Unused subscriptions and forgotten renewals
Free trials roll into paid plans, gym memberships renew, and you barely remember signing up, until the monthly fee lands.
Emergency or last-minute costs
Maybe you order dinner because cooking feels overwhelming after a long day, or take a taxi when you lose track of time. These quick solutions cost more.
It’s not about willpower - it's about how brains work
We have a mind-wandering network that often goes in the background when brains have to focus on the task at hand. Studies (da Silva et al., 2023) on ADHD brains have indicated that this mind-wandering network stays active during tasks, generating internal competition for your attention.
You are always battling distraction from inside your own mind, like trying to have a serious conversation while the radio keeps playing in the background.
Because of this:
- Bills don’t feel urgent until after they’re due
- Time slips away without meaningful cues
- Tasks requiring multiple steps feel overwhelming
- Impulse decisions feel rewarding in the moment
So you’re not “bad with money.” You’re just trying to make a neurotypical system work with a neurodivergent brain.
How to reduce the ADHD tax
Here are practical, neurodivergent-friendly ways to lower your financial “tax” without more stress or shame.
1. Automate what you can
Automating bills and minimum payments removes the memory burden:
- Set up direct debit or scheduled payments
- Use alerts for upcoming charges
This reduces late fees and missed renewals.
2. Create friction for spending
Impulse buys happen fast - break the pattern:
- Remove saved cards from shopping apps
- Move tempting apps off your home screen
- Use a 24-hour rule for non-essentials
These small pauses protect your wallet.
3. Make external memory work for you
ADHD isn’t a memory deficit - it's a cue problem. Use:
- Calendar reminders
- Sticky notes where you can’t miss them
- Repeat alarms
External cues become your memory helpers.
4. Use ADHD money management tools
ADHD-friendly tools are designed to reduce thinking, not add more tasks. Helpful features often include:
- Clear, simple dashboards so you can see where your money is going at a glance
- Automatic tracking for repeat bills that doesn’t rely on you remembering to log things
- Visual breakdowns that make patterns easier to spot without spreadsheets
The best tools work in the background and step in before things go wrong - helping you notice issues early, rather than punishing you after the fact.
You’re not alone
Millions of people with ADHD experience similar patterns and have found ways to lower the ADHD tax without burnout or blame. You’re part of a community that gets it, and there are strategies that help.
For more on this and other ADHD money topics (like bills, impulse spending, debt, and budgeting systems that actually work for neurodivergent brains), explore more posts on neuromoney.io/blog.
Note: This article is educational and is not personalised financial or medical advice.