Why Are Teachers Paying Extra Tax? - Ask SusanSusan Edmunds, Money CorrespondentWe'd love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. If an extra pay period (eg 27 fortnightly or 53 weekly pays) causes a small tax bill, IRD may automatically write off the amount, provided your income is under $180,000. You won't be paying more tax than you are meant to - it's just the surprise factor of having a bill you weren't expecting. "We also typically see that larger and/or more well-performing economies are given more latitude by financial markets about debt levels.