How can I reduce the amount of tax I pay?

You can reduce your taxable income, and therefore reduce the amount of tax you need to pay, by claiming deductions.

Do I need to declare interest on my savings account if it’s a small amount?

Yes, you’ll need to declare any interest earned in a savings account.

When do I need to lodge my tax return?

If you're doing your tax return yourself online, you need to lodge your tax returns by 31 October. Keep in mind that the financial year ends on the 30 June.

Is prize money taxable?

Winnings from lotteries, game shows and raffles aren’t taxable, but if you regularly receive winnings from game shows it might be.

Is child support taxable?

You usually don’t have to declare child support payments, as someone has already paid tax on this.

Are cash birthday presents taxable?

These are not taxable, although if the amount received was a large amount or was earned in a business-style transaction they might be.

Are overseas pensions taxable?

If you’re an Australian resident for tax purposes, you’ll be taxed on your foreign pensions, annuities, capital gains from overseas properties and more. Australia has a system to avoid double taxation in the event that you get taxed in the country where your income comes from. If you’re not an Australian resident, you usually won’t need to declare earnings from overseas sources.

Tax calculator 2025-26: How much tax do I have to pay?

Estimate your 2025-26 tax liability and potential return using gross income only.
Income is taxed incrementally meaning only the portion above a threshold incurs the higher rate.
Claim eligible deductions to reduce your taxable income and maximise your potential tax return.

How to use the income tax calculator

Add up your total annual income for the year (your gross annual income will be on your income statement or latest payslip for the financial year).
Don't forget about any additional money you've made from freelance, contract work or a side hustle.
Enter this figure into the income tax calculator below to see how much tax you will need to pay for the 2025-26 financial year.
This will give you an estimate of how much tax you should have paid for the year.

Outcomes provided are based only on the information you give, and you should only use it as general advice. It doesn't take into account your personal or financial situation, any Medicare levy, HECS-HELP debt or any capital gains tax you need to pay, and is just for your standard, annual income. The calculator doesn't take into account any deductions you're eligible to claim. If you have tax deductions to claim, a tax agent can help you claim these correctly to help increase the amount of tax you get back (and you can claim the tax agent fee as a deduction, too).

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calculator, the results should only be used as an indication. They are neither a recommendation nor an eligibility test for any product and should not be construed as financial advice, investment advice or any other sort of advice.

Calculating your tax return: How much tax will I get back?

The calculator will give you an estimate of how much tax you'll need to pay based on your annual income. If you've paid more tax than you need to, you should get the difference back as a tax return. Alternatively, if you have not paid the correct amount of tax you will need to make up the difference and pay this to the ATO.

This calculator is just an estimate. It doesn't take into account the Medicare levy or any HECS-HELP debt you might have, which will also come out of your return.

Expert insight

"Australian income tax is ever-changing, complex and not always black and white. A tax misconception we often come across is [that] earning more income will result in being worse off from a tax perspective. That is simply not the case; the Australian tax system is based on incremental tax thresholds, which means when your income moves into another tax threshold, only the income greater than the threshold is taxed at the higher rate."

Sean Urquhart

Partner, Taxation Consulting, Nexia Australia

How much tax have you paid?

If you earn a salary from your job (meaning you're not a business owner or sole trader) the amount of income tax you've paid should be on your group certificate, payment summary or income statement from your employer.

If that's your only source of income, then the tax you've paid should be very close to what you actually owe. But don't forget to factor in other income sources like dividends from shares, and deductions you can claim.

What are the tax thresholds for the 2026-27 financial year?

To better understand how your tax is calculated, refer to the tax threshold table below.

Taxable income	Tax on this income
0 – $18,200	Nil
$18,201 – $45,000	16c for each $1 over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000	$4,288 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000	$31,288 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
$190,001 and over	$51,638 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

Income tax rates also depend on your income and your residency status. Non-residents are taxed at a high rate and are not entitled to a tax-free threshold.

So if you're a non-resident, you'll need to pay tax on all income earned from an Australian source.

Your general tax questions answered

If you’re an Australian resident for tax purposes, you’ll be taxed on your foreign pensions, annuities, capital gains from overseas properties and more. Australia has a system to avoid double taxation in the event that you get taxed in the country where your income comes from. If you’re not an Australian resident, you usually won’t need to declare earnings from overseas sources.

Want more tips on tax?

Use our comprehensive tax guides to stay on top of your finances this tax season.

How to complete a tax return

Whether it’s your first time or you're a seasoned veteran, lodging a tax return can be tricky. Let finder.com.au walk you through the process step-by-step.

The ultimate guide to tax deductions

Deductions are purchases that you can deduct from your total taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax. Find out the general legislation surrounding tax deductions, as well as some specific examples.

Top tips for maximising your tax returns

Our five top tips for using tax deductions to your advantage and boosting this year’s tax return.

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
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Alison Banney

Editorial Manager, Money

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Alison is an editor at Finder and a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of experience, having contributed to major financial institutions and publications such as Westpac, Money Magazine, and Yahoo Finance. She is frequently quoted in media outlets like SmartCompany and SBS, offering expert insights on superannuation and money management. Alison holds a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Newcastle, and has earned three ASIC RG146 certifications in superannuation, securities and managed investments and general financial advice, ensuring her expertise is fully aligned with ASIC standards. See full bio

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156 Responses

TashaDecember 19, 2016

My annual income is about 20000 and I’m claiming my 2 children who are both under 13 years of age. How much would my refund be?

Finder

JasonDecember 19, 2016Finder

Hi Tasha,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Your tax refund will depend on how much tax has been withheld or paid.

You may want to use the tax calculator on our website and you will see that the estimated tax will be about $ 342.00. This estimate does not include any applicable Medicare levy, Medicare levy surcharge, Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), or Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) liabilities. The actual tax on your income may be higher than the calculated amount.

Additionally, child care expenses are not eligible as a tax deduction, but you may be able to claim the Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) through the Family Assistance Office.

If you need expert advice on taxes, please seek the advice of a tax expert such as a tax agent or a specialist tax provider.

Kind regards,
Jason

TriDecember 13, 2016

I earned 34.000. how much I get tax return, and my husband earn 130.000

Finder

ClarizzaDecember 13, 2016Finder

Hi Tri,

Thanks for your question.

Based on rates for the 2015-2016 Financial Year and your annual income of $34,000, you are liable to pay $3,002.00 in tax. Your tax return will depend upon the difference between how much you owe to the ATO and how much tax you have already paid. Other factors such as claiming work-related expenses may also impact the tax return amount.

Your husband is liable to pay $36,047.00 in tax and his tax return will depend upon the above factors mentioned.

Please note, we are a general comparison website and provide general advice only. If you would like to discuss your personal situation in further detail, you can speak to a financial planner.

Regards,
Clarizza

ANovember 30, 2016

I and my wife earned 48000. How much money I get back.I have 2kids

AnndyNovember 30, 2016

Hi, A b,

Thanks for your question.

Using the tax calculator on our page, your tax will be about $ 7,147.00. Please note the limitations of our tax calculator and the actual tax on your income may be higher than the calculated.

Additionally, child care expenses are not eligible as a tax deduction, but you may be able to claim the Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) through the Family Assistance Office.

Your tax refund will depend on how much tax has been withheld or paid.

If you need expert advice on taxes, you can reach out to a tax expert.

Cheers,
Anndy

AndyNovember 28, 2016

I made 9000 I was wondering how much I would get bk for me my wife and five kids

Finder

ClarizzaNovember 28, 2016Finder

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your question.

Based on your income for the last financial year, you are not liable to pay tax. However, if you have paid tax, you should get back the difference. To find out how much you’re liable to pay or how much is owed to you by the tax office, simply enter your annual income in the tax calculator on this page.

Please note, other factors such as work expenses may affect the final amount owed.

If you’d like to discuss your situation in further detail, you can speak to a financial planner.

Regards,
Clarizza

garyNovember 19, 2016

Can I write off money that has been lost thru an internet romance scam if I have all receipts and have reported this to the proper authorities ?

Finder

ShirleyNovember 21, 2016Finder

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your question.

Unfortunately to our knowledge, you can only claim deductions or losses made from investments.

We highly recommend that you speak to a tax accountant about your enquiry.

Sorry that we couldn’t assist further,
Shirley

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Income tax calculator

Use our simple tax calculator to see how much tax you'll pay for the 2024-25 financial year, and what your tax return may look like.