We've listed the basic steps you need to take to lodge your tax return below. After this, we'll go into a lot more detail on each step so you know exactly how to lodge your tax return.
Step 1. Decide which way to lodge - online yourself or with a tax agent
Step 2. Gather the information and documents you need
Step 3. List all your deductions
Step 4. Lodge your return with the ATO
Check out our handy tax return checklist for a guide to all the information and documents you may need.
Step 1: Decide which way to lodge your tax return
There are 2 main ways to lodge your return with the ATO:
Online yourself via myGov using myTax
Through a registered tax agent
Let's take a closer look at how each option works. If you've already decided, you can skip ahead to step 2.
Lodging your return online using MyTax
Lodging online using the MyTax system is the quickest way to submit your tax return to the ATO and get your refund. It's also free. MyTax allows you to lodge your return online, with no need to download any programs to your device. You can lodge via your computer, tablet or smartphone - you'll just need a myGov account linked to the ATO. MyTax can be used by any individual (including sole traders) completing their own return, and the tax return deadline for online submission is October 31.
To lodge via MyTax simply log into your myGov account, click on the ATO option and click 'Lodge tax return'. Then just follow the prompts to fill out the form (you'll find a lot of your income details are already pre-filled!).
Lodging through a registered tax agent
If you need expert help when filing your return, you can get a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge your return for you. A registered tax agent will charge a fee for their services but can help you understand the ins and outs of filing a return and how to claim all the deductions you are entitled to. Plus, their fee is tax deductible in next years return.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of a later tax return deadline if lodging through an agent. However, you must be registered with a tax agent by October 31. A small, straightforward tax return can cost less than $100. More complex tax returns, such as those involving multiple sources of income, can cost several-hundred dollars or even a few-thousand.
For more of detailed comparison of these options, you can take a look at our myGov vs tax agent guide.
Step 2: Gather the information you need for your return
Here's what you'll need:
Your TFN (Tax File Number). This can be found on your payment summary (group certificate) or previous notice of assessment.
Your bank account details (so any refund you're entitled to can be deposited directly into your account)
Your myGov login if you're filing your return online yourself
PAYG payment summary or income statement from your employer (don't stress if you can't find this, it'll likely already be pre-filled by the ATO for you).
If you plan to claim more than $300 in work-related expenses you're also going to need:
Paper or electronic copies of invoices or receipts for work-related expenses
BPay receipt numbers
Credit card statements
Travel logbook
Home office logbook
Other information you may need:
PAYG summary for Centrelink payments
Information on investments (e.g. rental income or dividends)
Bank account interest accumulated (again, this will likely be pre-filled for you)
Other Tax Offset information (e.g. spouse's income details)
Other income details
Finder survey: How many Australians file their taxes on time in each state?
Response
WA
VIC
SA
QLD
NSW
Yes
79.66%
75.09%
74.67%
77.49%
78.63%
I did not file taxes this year
11.86%
17.41%
16%
15.58%
13.39%
No
8.47%
7.51%
9.33%
6.93%
7.98%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023 Data for ACT, NT, TAS not shown due to insufficient sample size. Some other states may also be excluded for this reason.
Step 3: Get your deductions organised
You're entitled to claim deductions for expenses which are directly related to earning an income. If you want to claim a deduction for a work-related expense:
You must have spent the money yourself and not been reimbursed
The expense must have been directly related to earning your income
You must have a record (e.g. a receipt) to prove it
So, what can you claim? Acceptable deductions include:
Vehicle and travel expenses
Clothing, laundry and dry-cleaning expenses
Gifts and donations
Home office expenses
Self-education expenses
Tools and equipment
Interest, dividend and other investment income expenses
After you've entered in your basic income and financial information on the first page, you'll be taken to a section where you can enter any deductions. This is where you can list the expenses that you want to claim as a work-related tax deduction. It'll ask you to enter the amount you spent for each one and write what it was.
If you are claiming things like some of your home office internet bills or a portion of your phone bill, you'll need to be able to prove your calculations. You won't need to enter your calculations into the tax return form, but, you will need to have these ready in case the ATO requests it. You can see more information on how to claim a home office in our separate guide.
Step 4: Lodge your tax return with the ATO
When you lodge your tax return yourself online, it's simply a case of going through the form question by question until you've finished it. You'll find that some of your information (such as how much you earned from your main employer and your private health insurance details) will already be pre-filled for you.
When you're happy you've filled in all the required details and added in any deductions you wish to claim, the final page of the form will have the option to submit your return. Then, the ATO will take it from here and your tax return (if you're getting one) should be paid into your nominated account within a couple of weeks.
What if I make a mistake on my tax return?
Filing your first tax return can be a confusing and daunting experience, but try not to worry. If you make a mistake on your return or forget to include any important information, it's actually quite easy to make an amendment. There are a few ways to do this:
Online. You can amend your return using ATO online services via the myGov portal. Online amendments are usually processed within 20 business days.
By paper. You can complete a 'Request for amendment of income tax return for individuals' form and submit it by fax or post. Amendment requests made in writing take up to 50 days to process.
Through your tax agent. If you lodged your return through a registered tax agent, the agent can amend your return for you.
If you've made any particularly misleading claims in your tax return, for example failing to disclose a secondary income, you also have the opportunity to make a voluntary disclosure. If you find yourself in this situation, make the disclosure as soon as possible – if the ATO has to contact you about a misleading statement or claim, you could be severely penalised.
Can I complete a tax return for someone else?
Generally speaking, only a registered tax agent can lodge a tax return on someone else's behalf. If you want a friend or family member to sign and lodge a return for you, you'll need to complete a power of attorney authorising them to do so.
Do I need to complete a tax return for a deceased person?
If you happen to be the executor of a deceased person’s estate, it’s possible you will have to submit a final tax return on their behalf. You may be required to submit a tax return on someone else’s behalf if:
Tax was withheld from the income they earned
The person’s earned taxable income exceeds the tax-free threshold
The person had tax withheld from interest or dividends because no TFN was quoted to the investment body
The person lodged returns in previous years, or should have lodged returns in previous years
You will need to determine whether or not submitting a tax return for the deceased party is necessary. It's also important to note that tax returns for deceased people can only be lodged using a paper tax return.
If it is not necessary, you still need to complete a ‘Non-lodgement’ advice for that person and send it to the ATO.
If a final tax return is necessary, the executor will need to submit it on the deceased person's behalf. This will be the last time a tax return is required to be submitted for the deceased – it is known as a “date of death return”.
This article discusses how to complete an individual tax return. However, committing to a Statement of Advice (SOA) is an individual decision and users can opt for any method of filling in a tax return governed by the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
DISCLAIMER: Many of the comments in this article are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information applicability to their own particular circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Linking your myGov account to the ATO not only verifies your identity, but also allows you to easily import your personal details and previous tax return data into MyTax.
You should usually receive your notice of assessment within 12 business days of successful lodgement. This does fluctuate depending on the time of lodgement (if you’ve lodged at tax time, it could take longer due to the massive influx of claims). You can track the progress of your return through your myGov account (another benefit of linking it to the ATO). However, the ATO asks that you wait at least 30 days after successfully lodging your claim before contacting them.
Applying for a TFN differs depending on your circumstances. The TFN application process you need to follow will depend on whether you’re an Australian resident, living outside Australia, or a foreign passport holder, permanent migrant or temporary visitor. Visit the ATO website for more information on how to apply for a TFN.
The best thing you can do is usually to lodge your return as soon as possible. While a late fee may apply, this fee increases the longer you wait.
You can visit the Tax Practitioners Board website to check whether your accountant is a registered tax agent.
Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
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I’m sorry to learn that you’re having difficulties getting assistance filing your tax return.
You no longer need to download an app to lodge your tax return. You can lodge your return with the ATO through these options:
• Using MyTax, ATO’s free online tool. You need a myGov account linked to the ATO to lodge online. It usually takes two weeks for returns lodged through myTax to be processed. Visit https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1 to create a myGov account.
• Through a registered tax agent. You can use a registered tax agent if you want a professional to do your tax return. There is a fee for this, however you can claim this fee as a deduction next year.
Your spouse’s assessable income is the amount at TOTAL INCOME OR LOSS on page 3 of her tax return. Her reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer superannuation contributions are shown on their payment summaries.
To complete the form:
Step 1
Write the total of your contributions at Contributions paid item T3 on your tax return.
Step 2
If the sum of your spouse’s assessable income, total reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer superannuation contributions was $10,800 or less, use worksheet 1.
If the sum of your spouse’s assessable income, total reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer superannuation contributions was more than $10,800 but less than $13,800, use worksheet 2.
Step 3
The tax offset is the amount shown at (d) on worksheet 1 or (h) on worksheet 2. Write this amount at A item T3. Do not show cents.
Step 4
Make sure you complete Spouse details – married or de facto on pages 8-9 of your tax return. Include your spouse’s taxable income at O, your spouse’s total reportable fringe benefits amounts at S and your spouse’s reportable employer superannuation contributions at A.
To walk you through the process, best to visit ATO’s website or ask for a tax agent or accountant’s assistance.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Thank you for getting in touch with finder. You may be eligible for a tax offset if you are a low-income earner and you are an Australian resident for income tax purposes. You don’t have to claim this offset. The ATO will work it out for you when you lodge your tax return. The offset can only reduce the amount of tax you pay to zero and it does not reduce your Medicare levy. If your taxable income is less than $66,667, you will get the low income tax offset. The maximum tax offset of $445 applies if your taxable income is $37,000 or less. This amount is reduced by 1.5 cents for each dollar over $37,000. If you are under 18 as at 30 June of the income year and you have unearned income, your low income tax offset cannot reduce the tax payable on this income.
I retired from work last April of this year at the age of 66. I paid 21,000 to salary sacrifice through my employer last October and paid the sum of 8,000 into my wife’s Superfund. Can I claim any tax concession on this transaction?
Thanks for reaching out to us. With regard to your query about the Tax Return/Concession, yes you may be able to claim it since it is only this April that you’ve retired. You may have a look at some of the ATO tax rules that could affect your tax obligations. Aside from that, feel free to read more about tax deductions.
Hi, I just did my tax return with my group certificates but due to rushing and not thinking I forgot to lodge my earnings from my ABN, what should I do to rectify my problem?
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what is the app I have to down load before I can get any assistance pls.
I cant understand what she is say on the recording when I ring the number
Cheers
Alanna
Hi Alanna,
I’m sorry to learn that you’re having difficulties getting assistance filing your tax return.
You no longer need to download an app to lodge your tax return. You can lodge your return with the ATO through these options:
• Using MyTax, ATO’s free online tool. You need a myGov account linked to the ATO to lodge online. It usually takes two weeks for returns lodged through myTax to be processed. Visit https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1 to create a myGov account.
• Through a registered tax agent. You can use a registered tax agent if you want a professional to do your tax return. There is a fee for this, however you can claim this fee as a deduction next year.
I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Alison
Where do I put the spouse superannuation contribution amount on the tax return that I am completing online?
Hello Penny,
Thank you for your comment.
Your spouse’s assessable income is the amount at TOTAL INCOME OR LOSS on page 3 of her tax return. Her reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer superannuation contributions are shown on their payment summaries.
To complete the form:
Step 1
Write the total of your contributions at Contributions paid item T3 on your tax return.
Step 2
If the sum of your spouse’s assessable income, total reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer superannuation contributions was $10,800 or less, use worksheet 1.
If the sum of your spouse’s assessable income, total reportable fringe benefits amounts and reportable employer superannuation contributions was more than $10,800 but less than $13,800, use worksheet 2.
Step 3
The tax offset is the amount shown at (d) on worksheet 1 or (h) on worksheet 2. Write this amount at A item T3. Do not show cents.
Step 4
Make sure you complete Spouse details – married or de facto on pages 8-9 of your tax return. Include your spouse’s taxable income at O, your spouse’s total reportable fringe benefits amounts at S and your spouse’s reportable employer superannuation contributions at A.
To walk you through the process, best to visit ATO’s website or ask for a tax agent or accountant’s assistance.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
What are the tax rules for low income rebate entitlement?
Hi Rex,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder. You may be eligible for a tax offset if you are a low-income earner and you are an Australian resident for income tax purposes. You don’t have to claim this offset. The ATO will work it out for you when you lodge your tax return. The offset can only reduce the amount of tax you pay to zero and it does not reduce your Medicare levy. If your taxable income is less than $66,667, you will get the low income tax offset. The maximum tax offset of $445 applies if your taxable income is $37,000 or less. This amount is reduced by 1.5 cents for each dollar over $37,000. If you are under 18 as at 30 June of the income year and you have unearned income, your low income tax offset cannot reduce the tax payable on this income.
I hope this helps.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Jeni
I retired from work last April of this year at the age of 66. I paid 21,000 to salary sacrifice through my employer last October and paid the sum of 8,000 into my wife’s Superfund. Can I claim any tax concession on this transaction?
Hi Martin,
Thanks for reaching out to us. With regard to your query about the Tax Return/Concession, yes you may be able to claim it since it is only this April that you’ve retired. You may have a look at some of the ATO tax rules that could affect your tax obligations. Aside from that, feel free to read more about tax deductions.
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Rench
Hi, I just did my tax return with my group certificates but due to rushing and not thinking I forgot to lodge my earnings from my ABN, what should I do to rectify my problem?
Hi Bj17,
Thanks for reaching out.
If you’ve made a mistake on an income tax return you’ve already lodged, you can request an amendment to your income tax assessment. Please read more about how to correct or amend your income tax return to the ATO.
I hope this will help.
Cheers,
Liezl