PAYG Withholding Calculator Australia
Calculate how much PAYG tax should be withheld from your pay each period. Enter weekly, fortnightly, or monthly gross pay to estimate withholding using current ATO tax tables.
Based on 2025–26 ATO tax rates. Actual withholding may vary slightly due to rounding in ATO tables.
Most people claim this from one employer
Enter your gross pay to calculate withholding
When you start a job, you complete a TFN declaration telling your employer:
Your employer uses this information along with ATO tax tables to calculate how much to withhold from each pay. They send this money to the ATO on your behalf throughout the year.
The tax-free threshold means the first $18,200 of your annual income is tax-free. When you claim the threshold, your employer withholds less tax because they account for this tax-free amount.
When to claim the tax-free threshold
Warning
If you claim the tax-free threshold from multiple employers, you'll likely end up with a tax bill at the end of the year. Each employer assumes you'll earn the threshold tax-free, resulting in under-withholding.
Approximate withholding for common fortnightly pay levels (claiming tax-free threshold, no HELP):
| Fortnightly gross | Annual equivalent | Tax withheld | Net pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $52,000 | ~$324 | ~$1,676 |
| $2,500 | $65,000 | ~$474 | ~$2,026 |
| $3,000 | $78,000 | ~$624 | ~$2,376 |
| $3,500 | $91,000 | ~$774 | ~$2,726 |
| $4,000 | $104,000 | ~$924 | ~$3,076 |
Amounts approximate. Actual withholding uses detailed ATO tables with specific amounts for each dollar of income.
If you have a HELP debt and tick the box on your TFN declaration, your employer will withhold additional amounts once your income exceeds the threshold. From 2025-26, HELP uses a marginal rate system:
| Annual income | HELP withholding |
|---|---|
| $0 – $67,000 | No withholding |
| $67,001 – $125,000 | 15% on income above $67,000 |
| $125,001 – $179,285 | $8,700 + 17% on income above $125,000 |
| $179,286+ | 10% of total income |
What is PAYG withholding?
What is the tax-free threshold?
Why is my actual pay different from this calculator?
Should I claim the tax-free threshold from both jobs?
How do I change my PAYG withholding?
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Estimates PAYG withholding from pay inputs using current tax settings. Employers may apply table rounding and payroll-specific rules that create small differences.