Bonus tax calculator Australia
How much of your bonus you keep after tax in 2026-27.You keep
$3,400
- Extra tax on the bonus
- $1,600
- Effective rate
- 32%
This is the extra tax for the year. The amount withheld from the bonus payment itself can be different; any gap comes back or is owed when you lodge your tax return.
How bonus tax works
There is no separate bonus tax rate in Australia. Your bonus is added to your income for the year and taxed at your marginal rate, plus the Medicare levy. This calculator compares your tax for the year with and without the bonus, using 2026-27 resident tax rates, the low income tax offset and, if you choose, HELP repayments. For your regular pay, use the pay calculator.
Questions about bonus tax
How much tax do I pay on a bonus in Australia?
A bonus is taxed at your marginal rate plus the 2% Medicare levy, the same as the rest of your income. On an $80,000 salary, a $5,000 bonus adds about $1,600 in tax for the year, so you keep about $3,400.
Why was so much tax taken from my bonus?
Employers withhold tax from a bonus using the ATO's method for back payments and bonuses, which can withhold more or less than your final tax on it. The difference is settled when you lodge your tax return.
Does a bonus count towards my HELP or HECS repayment?
Yes. A bonus raises your repayment income, which can increase your compulsory HELP repayment for the year. Turn on the HELP or HECS option to include it.
Can I reduce the tax on a bonus?
Some employers let you salary sacrifice a bonus into super, where it is usually taxed at 15% within the fund, subject to the concessional contributions cap. Check with your employer and fund first.