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. Your 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
How PAYG withholding works
When you start a job, you complete a TFN declaration telling your employer:
- Your tax file number (TFN)
- Whether you're claiming the tax-free threshold
- Whether you have a HELP, VSL, or other study debt
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.
Tax-free threshold explained
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
- One job: Always claim it
- Multiple jobs: Only claim from your main (highest-paying) employer
- Second job: Don't claim it — you'll already be using the threshold elsewhere
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.
PAYG withholding tables
The ATO publishes detailed withholding tables that employers use. Here's an example of approximate withholding amounts 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 are approximate. Actual withholding uses detailed ATO tables with specific amounts for each dollar of income.
HELP/HECS withholding
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:
- $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
Frequently asked questions
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.