Pay As You Go (PAYG) Instalments
PAYG instalments let you pre-pay tax on your business and investment income — such as rent, interest or dividends — through the year, so there is less to pay when you lodge your tax return. This factsheet covers how they work, how you are entered, the two ways to pay, and how to vary them.
* General information only. Kristy Pan & Co. provides this material for general knowledge; it does not constitute tax or financial advice and does not take account of your specific circumstances. Please speak with us before acting.
How PAYG instalments work
PAYG instalments let you make regular payments during the income year towards your expected end-of-year tax liability. Paying throughout the year reduces the amount you may have to pay when you lodge — they most often apply when you earn income from investments such as rent, interest or dividends.
Less to pay at tax time.
Instead of one large bill after you lodge, you spread the tax across the year — which also makes cash flow easier to plan.
How you're entered
You can come into the system two ways: the ATO enters you automatically once you cross certain thresholds, or you opt in voluntarily.
Automatic entry
The ATO will enter you if all of the following apply, based on your latest tax return and notice of assessment:
$4,000+ instalment income
Instalment income (including investment and business income) of $4,000 or more.
$1,000+ tax payable
Tax payable on your latest notice of assessment of $1,000 or more.
$500+ notional tax
Estimated (notional) tax of $500 or more.
If the ATO enters you, they will let you know — through your myGov Inbox, Online services for business, or SBR software. Otherwise, you or your registered tax agent will receive a letter.
Quick self-check: are you likely to be entered?
Tick the ones that apply — nothing here is saved or sent.
Voluntary entry
Expecting business or investment income over the threshold? You can opt in early — via your myGov account (Tax → Manage → Tax Registrations → Register → PAYG instalments), through your registered tax agent, or by phoning the ATO. We can set this up for you.
Paying & varying
When it is time to pay, you choose one of two methods — and you can vary your instalments if your income changes.
Two ways to pay
Instalment amount
The simplest option: you pay the amount the ATO calculates for you.
Instalment rate
You work out the amount using your investment income and allowable deductions, applying the rate the ATO provides to each period's income.
Instalment rate suits variable income.
If your instalment income changes a lot and you want to manage cash flow, calculating by instalment rate is usually best — you apply the rate to your actual income each period.
Varying your instalments
If your business or investment income falls or rises compared with the prior year, you can vary your instalments. Variations must be lodged on or before the day your instalment is due, and your varied amount or rate then applies for the rest of the income year (or until you vary again). The ATO's PAYG instalment calculator helps you work out the new figure.
Pedro — income from interest
Pedro expects about $25,000 of interest for the year (taxable income $24,800 after $200 of bank fees). The ATO calculator estimates $1,306 of tax for the year, so his quarterly instalments are $1,306 ÷ 4 = $326.50, payable each quarter on his instalment activity statement.
How we help
We can check whether PAYG instalments apply to you, set up voluntary entry, choose the method that suits your cash flow, prepare and lodge your instalment activity statements, and vary your instalments when your income changes.
Glossary of terms
- PAYG Instalments
- Regular pre-payments of tax on business and investment income during the year, credited against your end-of-year tax.
- Instalment income
- Your gross business and investment income (such as rent, interest and dividends) that the instalments are based on.
- Notice of Assessment
- The ATO's statement of your tax position issued after you lodge a tax return.
- Notional tax
- The ATO's estimate of the tax on your instalment income, used to work out your instalments.
- Instalment amount
- A set dollar amount the ATO calculates for you to pay each period.
- Instalment rate
- A percentage the ATO gives you to apply to your instalment income each period.
This factsheet contains general information only, summarised from the ATO's PAYG instalments guidance. It does not take into account your circumstances and is not a substitute for advice. Please consult Kristy Pan & Co. about your situation before acting.