Why are teachers paying extra tax? - Ask Susan

Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, 'No Stupid Questions', with Susan Edmunds.We'd love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but even better, you can drop us a voice memo to our email questions@rnz.co.nz.You can also sign up to RNZ's new money newsletter, 'Money with Susan Edmunds'.Many teachers in NZ currently have significant size tax bills due to being paid by the Ministry of Education over 27 fortnights instead of the usual 26 fortnights for the financial year 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. My understanding is the PAYE tables can't cope or aren't designed for 27 weeks which causes the debt. If an extra pay period (eg 27 fortnightly or 53 weekly pays) causes a small tax bill, IRD may automatically write off th