Which job should I claim the tax-free threshold on?

Usually your main (higher) job. That way the bulk of your income has correct withholding and the second job covers the extra tax.

What if I already claimed on both jobs?

You can submit a new TFN declaration to your second employer to stop claiming the TFT. You may also need to ask them to withhold extra (or make a voluntary payment to the ATO) to avoid a bill.

No. Employers use ATO tax tables. This is a guide to help you get in the right ballpark; small refunds or bills are still possible.

Second Job Tax Helper

Two jobs? Estimate how much to have withheld from your second job so you don't get a bill at tax time

On your second job's TFN declaration, tick "Do not claim the tax-free threshold". We use ATO-style rates to suggest withholding per pay from the second job so you roughly break even.

Your two jobs

Main job (claim TFT) and second job (do not claim TFT)

Main job annual income ($)

You claim the tax-free threshold on this job.

Second job annual income ($)

Do not claim the tax-free threshold on this job.

Second job pay frequency

Tax year

I have a HELP/HECS debt

I have private hospital cover (MLS)

Suggested withholding (second job)

Per monthly pay so you roughly break even

Withhold this much per pay from your second job

$431

12 pays per year; total tax from second job ≈ $5,175

Approx. take-home per pay from second job (after this withholding)

$819

On your second job's TFN declaration

Select "Do not claim the tax-free threshold". Your employer will use Schedule 2 (no TFT) and may withhold close to this amount depending on their payroll.

Combined income: $75,000 · Total tax: $16,342

How to Use This Calculator

1Enter your main job annual income (where you claim the tax-free threshold).
2Enter your second job annual income and how often you get paid there.
3On the second job's TFN declaration, tick "Do not claim the tax-free threshold".
4Use the suggested withholding per pay as a guide; your employer will use ATO tax tables.

Why tick 'do not claim' on the second job?

You can only claim the tax-free threshold from one employer. If you claim it from both, too little tax is withheld and you'll get a bill at tax time.

By not claiming on your second job, more tax is withheld from that job. We estimate how much should be withheld so your total withholding across both jobs roughly matches your total tax.

Getting it right

One TFT claim only: Claim the tax-free threshold on your main (higher) job only.
Second job declaration: On the second job's TFN form, select "Do not claim the tax-free threshold" so Schedule 2 (no TFT) is used.
Break even: Our suggestion spreads the extra tax from the second job across each pay so you don't owe a large amount at lodgement.

Tips

•If your second job pay varies, use an estimated annual amount; you may still have a small refund or bill.
•Update your declaration if you change jobs or drop a job during the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources

Estimates only. Not financial or tax advice. Full disclaimer for your rights and our limitations of liability.

Rates and thresholds last updated for the 2024–25 financial year.

Related Tools

Tax Withholding Helper

Single job: how much to have withheld

Salary Tax Calculator

Take-home pay for one job

Tax Refund Estimator

Refund or amount owing

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