a.
i. The accountant's taxable income can be calculated as follows:
$3120 x 26 = $81,120 (fortnightly income x number of fortnights in a year)
Therefore, the accountant's taxable income is $81,120.
ii. To calculate the tax owed, we need to use the tax brackets provided.
For the first $18,200, the tax is nil.
For the next $18,800 ($37,000 - $18,200), the tax is calculated as follows:
($81,120 - $18,200) x 0.19 = $12,166.60
Therefore, the accountant owes $12,166.60 in tax for the year.
iii. The annual net pay can be calculated as follows:
$81,120 - $12,166.60 = $68,953.40
Therefore, the accountant's annual net pay is $68,953.40.
iv. The fortnightly net pay can be calculated as follows:
$68,953.40 / 26 = $2,650.52
Therefore, the accountant's fortnightly net pay is $2,650.52.
b.
i. The lawyer's taxable income can be calculated as follows:
$3120 x 26 = $81,120 (fortnightly income x number of fortnights in a year)
$2560 allowable tax deduction per year
$81,120 - $2560 = $78,560
Therefore, the lawyer's taxable income is $78,560.
ii. To calculate the tax owed, we need to use the tax brackets provided.
For the first $18,200, the tax is nil.
For the next $18,800 ($37,000 - $18,200), the tax is calculated at the rate of 19c for each $1 over $18,200.
For the next $43,000 ($80,000 - $37,000), the tax is calculated at the rate of 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000.
For the next $100,000 ($180,000 - $80,000), the tax is calculated at the rate of 37c for each $1 over $80,000.
Therefore, the tax owed is:
($18,800 x 0.19) + ($43,000 x 0.325) + ($100,000 x 0.37) = $20,221
Therefore, the lawyer owes $20,221 in tax for the year.
iii. The annual net pay can be calculated as follows:
$81,120 - $20,221 = $60,899
Therefore, the lawyer's annual net pay is $60,899.
iv. The fortnightly net pay can be calculated as follows:
$60,899 / 26 = $2,341.50
Therefore, the lawyer's fortnightly net pay is $2,341.50.
c.
The accountant's fortnightly net pay is $2,650.52 and the lawyer's fortnightly net pay is $2,341.50.
The lawyer has a fortnightly net pay that is $309.02 less than the accountant's.