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empw14(Newbie)Newbie
26 Apr 2022

For context, for about 6 months I was working as a freelancer for a company (full time hours but I would just be 'employed' under my own ABN and I would issue them invoices for the hours I worked)


Since I didn't have tax being withheld this way, when I would be paid, to avoid a lump sum of tax needing to be paid at the end of the financial year, I would immediately pay a set amount into my income tax every week. I based this set amount based on what I would earn annually from working at the rate I was on, but I only ended up working as a freelancer for half a year before getting a new, permanent job. So when I run the numbers I've paid significantly more income tax than I needed to (I've paid almost $4000 when the amount I actually ended up earning would have only been taxed about $600).


Even though this tax was paid through voluntary means, am I still going to be able to have it paid back (minus what I do actually owe) when I do my tax returns this year, or should I request a refund of the excess?

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2,324 views
1 replies

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Most helpful replyATO Certified Response

TeddyATO(Community Support)Community Support
ATO Certified Response26 Apr 2022

Hello @Empw14,


The simple answer is yes, if you have been paying money into your income tax account with the ATO it should be sitting there as a credit which you can check via ATO Online Services by looking at your statement of account. Once your income tax return is finalised you can request a refund of the extra credit stating it was an over payment. If this happens in the future and you want to do the same type of thing we have a system called PAYG Installments that allows sole traders and business to estimate and pre pay there future tax obligation.

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Most helpful replyATO Certified Response

TeddyATO(Community Support)Community Support
ATO Certified Response26 Apr 2022

Hello @Empw14,


The simple answer is yes, if you have been paying money into your income tax account with the ATO it should be sitting there as a credit which you can check via ATO Online Services by looking at your statement of account. Once your income tax return is finalised you can request a refund of the extra credit stating it was an over payment. If this happens in the future and you want to do the same type of thing we have a system called PAYG Installments that allows sole traders and business to estimate and pre pay there future tax obligation.

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I've paid too much income tax voluntarily, will I be able to get it back in my return? | ATO Community