Bonus Tax Calculator
Calculate PAYG withholding on your bonus or back payment using ATO Schedule 5 Method B(ii). See your net bonus after tax.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is tax on a bonus calculated?
Why does my bonus seem to be taxed at 47%?
Can I salary sacrifice my bonus into super?
Are commissions and back payments taxed the same as bonuses?
What is Bonus Tax?
When you receive a bonus, commission, or back payment, your employer doesn't withhold tax at the same rate as your regular pay. The ATO requires Schedule 5 Method B(ii) for bonuses spread over multiple pay periods — which often produces a withholding rate higher than your marginal rate.
How this calculator works
This calculator simplifies the Schedule 5 calculation by computing tax on your annual salary alone vs annual salary + bonus. The difference is the withholding on the bonus. Includes optional Medicare Levy (2%). The withholding is capped at 47% per ATO rules. Note: this is just the withholding amount — your final tax is reconciled at EOFY based on your total annual income at correct progressive rates.
Why Bonuses Look Heavily Taxed
PAYG withholding on bonuses uses the assumption that the bonus pushes your annualised income into a higher bracket. So even a $5,000 bonus to someone earning $80,000 might be withheld at 30% + Medicare = 32%. This isn't a 'bonus tax' — it's just front-loaded withholding. Your actual liability depends on your full year income.
Salary Sacrifice Your Bonus
A common tax-efficient strategy: ask your employer to direct your bonus into super as a salary sacrifice contribution. Instead of being taxed at your marginal rate (potentially 30-47%), it's taxed at 15% concessional rate inside super. On a $10,000 bonus at 32% effective marginal rate, that's $1,700 saved. Watch the $30,000 concessional cap.
Schedule 5 Methods Explained
Method A: bonus relates to a single pay period (e.g. one week's commission). Method B(i): back payment for a specific past pay period. Method B(ii): payment doesn't relate to specific period (most bonuses, end-of-year bonuses, restructure payments). Method B(ii) annualises your earnings to estimate the marginal rate.
Reconciliation at Tax Time
If too much was withheld from your bonus, you'll see a refund on your tax return. If too little (rare), you'll owe more. The withholding is just an estimate — your true tax is calculated on total annual income at progressive rates.
Updated for the 2025-26 financial year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026).
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.