Payroll tax calculator

SA Payroll Tax Calculator 2025-26

Calculate South Australia payroll tax for your business using RevenueSA rates effective 1 July 2025. Features SA's shade-in provision for wages between $1.5M and $1.7M.

4.95% rate $1.5M threshold Shade-in $1.5M–$1.7M
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Total taxable wages paid to SA employees for the financial year. Includes salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, and superannuation.

2025-26 SA Payroll Tax

Rate: 4.95%
Threshold: $1,500,000
Max deduction: $600,000

A shade-in rate applies for wages between $1.5M and $1.7M.

02RESULTS

Enter your total SA wages to calculate payroll tax.

Payroll tax applies to businesses with annual Australian wages over $1.5 million.

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SA payroll tax rates 2025-26

South Australia applies a payroll tax rate of 4.95% with a tax-free threshold of $1,500,000 and a maximum deduction capped at $600,000.

Item2025-26
Payroll tax rate4.95%
Tax-free threshold$1,500,000
Maximum deduction$600,000
Shade-in range$1.5M – $1.7M
Shade-in provision

SA uses a shade-in provision for businesses with national wages between $1.5 million and $1.7 million. Within this range, the tax rate gradually increases from 0% to the full 4.95%, rather than applying the full rate immediately.

Shade-in formula

Rate = 4.95% × (Wages − $1,500,000) ÷ $200,000

National wagesApplicable rate
≤ $1,500,0000%
$1,550,0001.24%
$1,600,0002.48%
$1,650,0003.71%
≥ $1,700,0004.95%

Once national wages exceed $1.7 million, the full 4.95% rate applies to all taxable wages above the deduction amount.

Calculation example

Example: $2,000,000 in SA wages

For a business with $2,000,000 in total Australian wages (all in SA):

Step 1 Above $1.7M, full 4.95% rate applies
Step 2 Calculate taxable wages: $2,000,000 − $600,000 = $1,400,000
Step 3 Calculate tax: $1,400,000 × 4.95% = $69,300
What wages are taxable?

SA payroll tax applies to taxable wages paid to employees. This includes:

Salaries and wages
Commissions and bonuses
Superannuation contributions
Allowances (with some exemptions)
Fringe benefits (grossed-up taxable value)
Certain contractor payments
Directors' fees
Termination payments (some components)
Interstate wages

If your business pays wages in multiple states, your SA deduction is calculated proportionally based on your SA wages as a share of total Australian wages.

Example: Interstate employer

A business pays $1,000,000 in SA wages and $3,000,000 in total Australian wages.

SA deduction $600,000 × ($1,000,000 ÷ $3,000,000) = $200,000
SA taxable wages $1,000,000 − $200,000 = $800,000
SA tax $800,000 × 4.95% = $39,600
Lodgement and payment

SA requires monthly lodgement for all registered employers. Returns and payments are managed through RevenueSA's online portal.

Return typeDue date
Monthly returns7th of following month
Annual reconciliationRequired annually

Lodge through RevenueSA's online portal. If the 7th falls on a weekend or public holiday, lodgement and payment are due on the next business day.

FAQ
What is the SA payroll tax rate for 2025-26?
The SA payroll tax rate is 4.95% for 2025-26. A shade-in provision applies for businesses with national wages between $1.5 million and $1.7 million, where the rate gradually increases from 0% to 4.95%.
What is the SA payroll tax threshold?
The SA payroll tax threshold is $1,500,000 for 2025-26. However, the maximum deduction is capped at $600,000. Businesses only pay payroll tax on wages exceeding the deduction amount.
How does the SA shade-in provision work?
For businesses with national wages between $1.5M and $1.7M, the tax rate gradually increases from 0% to 4.95%. The formula is: rate = 4.95% × (wages − $1,500,000) ÷ $200,000. Above $1.7M, the full 4.95% rate applies.
When are SA payroll tax returns due?
SA payroll tax returns are due by the 7th of each following month. Annual reconciliation returns are also required. Lodge through RevenueSA's online portal.
What is the maximum deduction for SA payroll tax?
The maximum SA payroll tax deduction is $600,000 for 2025-26. This is less than the $1.5M threshold, meaning businesses pay tax on wages above $600,000 (not $1.5M) once they exceed the threshold.

Tax Accuracy & Sources

Reviewed: March 2026 · Tax year: 2025-26

Estimates South Australia payroll tax based on SA wages and the shade-in provision. It does not cover exempt wages, grouping provisions, or contractor classification.

SA Payroll Tax Guides

See payroll tax on common wage totals and compare nearby thresholds.

Open SA payroll tax guide

Last updated 26 May 2026 Tax year 2025-26

Data sources: ATO (ato.gov.au), Services Australia

This tool is general information only, not financial advice.

Reviewed by AusTax Tools Editorial Desk

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