You owe tax — should you pay in full, get on a payment plan, sell investments, or take a loan? This tool compares all four with configurable rates. All numbers below are defaults you can override for your country or situation.
ⓘEducational tool only, not tax advice. Tax rates and payment-plan rules change frequently and differ by country. Verify current rates with your local tax authority or a registered tax agent before making decisions.
Cheapest option for your situation
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Enter your details below…
Country / region — sets default rates
Your situation
Tax bill owed ($)
Annual income ($)
Estimated marginal rate: 30% (edit below if different)
Cash available ($)
Not touching emergency fund
Investments you could sell ($)
Optional — leave 0 if none
Unrealised gain (%)
e.g. bought at $70k, now $100k → 30%
Held for over 12 months?
Payment plan settings — override any default
Payment plan length
12 mo
Adjust to your tax authority's allowed term
Tax authority interest rate (% pa)
AU ATO GIC (Q3 2025): 11.36%
Personal loan rate (% pa)
Typical 2026 AU rate: 8–12%
Your marginal tax rate (%)
Auto-set from income above — override if you know yours
CGT taxable portion (%) if held long
AU: 50% (12+ month discount). US/UK: usually 100%.
Monthly cash outflow by strategy
Save this much to be ready:
Weekly
$0
Fortnightly
$0
AU pay cycle
Monthly
$0
Prepare for the bill
Expected tax bill ($)
Estimate for the year
Months until due
EOFY → October = 4 months
Already saved ($)
Toward this bill
Savings account rate (% pa)
AU HYSA 2026: 4.5–5.5%
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Balance growth toward tax bill
Indicative only. Tax-authority interest rates and payment-plan eligibility change over time and vary by country. CGT calculations are simplified — real capital gains tax can involve cost-base adjustments, other capital events, offsets, and country-specific rules. Speak to a registered tax agent for your specific situation.
Most tax authorities offer some kind of payment arrangement — the ATO (Australia), IRS (US), HMRC (UK), CRA (Canada), and IRD (NZ) all have online or phone options. Terms vary: 3–24 months in AU/UK, up to 72 months in the US, typically 12 months in Canada. Interest usually accrues on the unpaid balance. Check your local tax authority's website for current rules and eligibility.
Is tax-authority interest tax-deductible?
This varies significantly by country and by whether the debt is personal or business-related. Rules also change over time — for example, Australia legislated changes to GIC deductibility from July 2025. This tool doesn't try to model deductibility because it depends on your specific circumstances. Speak to a registered tax agent for your situation.
Should I sell my shares to pay tax?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Countries with a long-hold CGT discount (Australia 50%, Canada 50% inclusion rate) can make selling cheaper than paying tax-authority interest on a plan. But if you'd sell at a bad market moment, have short-term holdings, or live somewhere without a CGT discount (US/UK/NZ), a payment plan may work out cheaper. This tool models both so you can compare with your own numbers.
How much should I set aside per week to avoid this next year?
Switch to the "Save for a future bill" mode above. If you estimate a $15,000 tax bill over the next 12 months, saving about $270 per week (or $585 per fortnight) into a high-interest savings account gets you there. Set up an auto-transfer on payday — the money you don't see, you don't spend.
What about quarterly / estimated tax payments?
Most countries have some form of instalment or estimated-tax system for people with self-employed, business, or investment income — PAYG Instalments (AU), Estimated Tax (US Form 1040-ES), Payments on Account (UK), and Instalment Payments (CA). These smooth cashflow so you don't face one enormous bill at year-end. Check your local rules — and use our quarterly savings countdown to save toward each one.
Educational tool only, not tax advice. Default rates shown reflect Australian rules at time of build — tax rules change every year, and vary by country. Use the country selector or edit any field to match your situation. Always speak to a registered tax agent for your specific circumstances. See our glossary for term definitions.