Overview
The formulas comprise linear equations of the form y = ax − b, where:
- y is the weekly withholding amount expressed in dollars
- x is the number of whole dollars in the weekly earnings plus 99 cents
- a and b are the values of the coefficients for each set of formulas for each range of weekly earnings (or, in the case of fortnightly, monthly or quarterly earnings, the weekly equivalent of these amounts – see Working out the weekly earnings).
The formulas relate only to the calculation of withholding amounts before any tax offsets and Medicare levy adjustments are allowed. For instructions on the treatment of tax offsets and Medicare levy adjustments, refer to Tax offsets and Medicare levy adjustment.
For sample data to verify that the software program is calculating the correct withholding amounts and Medicare levy adjustments, see Withholding amounts and Medicare levy adjustments.
Withholding amounts calculated using these formulas may vary slightly to those calculated using the method set out in the footnote to the appropriate PAYG withholding tax table. This applies if earnings exceed $3,275 weekly or $6,550 fortnightly.
Rounding of withholding amounts
Withholding amounts calculated as a result of applying the above formulas are rounded to the nearest dollar. Values ending in 50 cents are rounded to the next higher dollar. Do this rounding directly – that is, do not make a preliminary rounding to the nearest cent.
Use these rounding rules across all scales except scale 4 (where employee does not provide a TFN). For scale 4, cents are ignored when applying the tax rate to earnings and when withholding amounts are calculated.
When there are 53 pays in a financial year
In some years, you may have 53 pays instead of the usual 52. As this schedule is based on 52 pays, the extra pay may result in insufficient amounts being withheld. You should let your employees know when this occurs so if they are concerned about a shortfall in tax withheld, they can ask you to withhold the additional amount in the table below.
Weekly earnings |
Additional withholding |
|---|---|
875 to 2,299 |
3 |
2,300 to 3,449 |
5 |
3,450 and over |
10 |
When there are 27 pays in a financial year
In some years, you may have 27 pays instead of the usual 26. As this schedule is based on 26 pays, the extra pay may result in insufficient amounts being withheld. You should let employees know when this occurs so if they are concerned about a shortfall in tax withheld, they can ask you to withhold the additional amounts in the table below.
Fortnightly earnings |
Additional withholding |
|---|---|
1,750 to 4,549 |
13 |
4,550 to 6,749 |
21 |
6,750 and over |
40 |