It’s a common myth that if you earn more, and move into a new tax bracket, you’ll end up taking less money home.
But that’s not the case at all – and too many people hold on to this mistaken belief. It could prevent them from seeking raises, promotions or even starting up their own business.
So what’s the deal with tax brackets?
Tax brackets are part of a progressive taxation system, which is used in most developed economies. The basic idea is that as you earn more and reach certain income thresholds, you pay more tax.
But this is where people get confused. Many believe that when you earn enough money to enter a new tax bracket, you will pay a higher rate of tax on all your income.
Instead, tax brackets indicate that different rates of tax apply to different levels of your income.
For example, in Australia the first $18,200 you earn every year isn’t taxed. But once you earn $18,201 or more, you start paying 19 cents per dollar – a tax rate of 19% – until you earn $37,001.
But that doesn’t mean you pay 19% on the entire $37,001. You’ll only pay 19% on the money you earned after the $18,201. So the difference between $18,201 and $37,000 is taxed at 19%.
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What does this mean for someone who gets a pay rise?
Let’s say you’re earning $80,000 a year. At that rate, the first $18,200 of your income isn’t taxed. Then, your income between $18,201 and $37,000 is taxed at 19%; and the income between $37,001 and $80,000 is taxed at $3,572 plus 32.5 cents per dollar.
That means out of your $80,000, you get to keep $60,853 per year – an effective tax rate of 23.9%.
But what happens if your income increases to $90,000 per year? That would put you into the next bracket of more than $87,000, where income is taxed at 37%.
Based on the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO’s) tax brackets, your annual take-home pay would then be $67,268 – with an effective tax rate of 25%. So you take home more even when you move into the next bracket.
Having a good understanding of our tax system can influence your career strategy – especially for business owners. Keep your accounting up to date by using online accounting software such as QuickBooks Online to track your income and tax obligations. After all, knowing how much tax you owe at any one time is essential to making good business decisions, and keeping in step with the ATO.
To read more articles related to becoming self-employed, visit here.
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