Here’s how you can lodge your 2025–26 tax return for the income year ending 30 June 2026 in Australia. It covers key dates, what to prepare, step‑by‑step instructions for self‑lodging via myTax, how to use a registered tax agent, paper lodgement, and practical tips, common mistakes and record‑keeping rules. Use this checklist and the steps below to file on time and avoid penalties.

Quick reference

- Who can lodge: Australian residents for tax purposes, non‑residents with Australian income, or authorised representatives (such as a registered tax agent).
- Key dates: income year ends 30 June 2026; myTax and other lodgements for 2025–26 can be submitted from 1 July 2026; self‑lodge deadline 31 October 2026; to use extended lodgement dates through a registered tax agent, you must engage the agent by 31 October 2026.
- How to lodge: online via myGov/myTax (free) at https://my.gov.au and https://www.ato.gov.au, through a registered tax agent (fees apply), or by paper (slower — posted to the ATO address for your state).
- Tax rates for 2025–26 (in force from 1 July 2024): 0–$18,200 = 0%; $18,201–$45,000 = 19%; $45,001–$200,000 = 30%; $200,001+ = 45%. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income (some people pay less or no levy based on low‑income thresholds or exemptions).
- Typical refund timing: electronic myTax refunds usually arrive within about two weeks if there are no review flags; lodged through an agent or by paper can take several weeks. If the ATO reviews your return, refunds take longer.

Prerequisites — documents and accounts to have ready

Make sure you have these items ready before you lodge. They’re usually needed every year and help prevent mistakes and delays.

  • Tax file number (TFN) — you must quote this on your return.
  • A myGov account linked to the ATO online services. Set up at https://my.gov.au. If you haven’t linked the ATO to myGov, do that now — it can take a few days if identity checks are required. See Services Australia guidance at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mygov.
  • Bank account details for any refund: BSB and account number for an Australian bank account or details for your nominated account in myGov.
  • Income records: PAYG payment summaries are now largely replaced by Single Touch Payroll (STP) income statements that appear pre‑filled in myTax. Still gather any rental income statements, bank interest summaries, dividend or share distribution statements, business income records, and foreign income documents.
  • Deductions evidence: receipts, invoices, warranty or repair records, and logbooks. If you claim car work‑use, a 12‑week logbook is the standard way to demonstrate business or work use; keep fuel, servicing and registration receipts if using the cents‑per‑km or actual expense methods.
  • Work‑from‑home records where relevant: timesheet, hours worked, or fixed‑rate calculations. Note there are two methods to claim home office expenses — keep records to show which you use.
  • Private health insurance statement (Annual Statement from your insurer), HECS/HELP or other study‑related debt details (check your debt balance in your myGov ATO view), and details of any government allowances, pensions or foreign pensions.
  • Last year’s notice of assessment and tax return copy — handy for carry‑forward claims (for example, capital losses, prior year unused net rental losses or prior year tax offsets).
  • Identification if you’re lodging as an authorised representative: written authorisation or a Tax Agent appointment form if someone else lodges for you.

Step‑by‑step: how to lodge for tax return (self‑lodging via myTax)

Follow these numbered steps to lodge directly through myTax. MyTax doesn’t cost anything, fills in a lot of your income details automatically, and is the quickest way to file simple returns.

  1. Open or check your myGov account. Go to https://my.gov.au and sign in. If you don’t have an account, create one and complete identity checks — allow 24–72 hours to finish verification if required.
  2. Link the ATO service. In myGov, click "Manage your linked services" and add the Australian Taxation Office. After linking, open the ATO service and select "Lodge" for the 2025–26 return (available from 1 July 2026).
  3. Review pre‑filled information. MyTax will pre‑fill income shown to the ATO, like wages (STP), bank interest, dividends and government payments. Double-check the pre-filled info with your pay slips, bank statements, and payment summaries. Don’t assume pre-filled data is correct — employers sometimes report late or with errors.
  4. Add any missing income. If you had casual or contract work, rental property income, foreign income, or capital gains from share sales or property disposals, enter those amounts in the relevant myTax sections. For capital gains, use the ATO's capital gains tool or the capital gains schedule in myTax.
  5. Enter deductions. Use the correct category for each expense — work‑related clothing, vehicle, home office, self‑education, tools and equipment, gifts/donations and union fees. For motor vehicle claims, choose your method (cents‑per‑km with a capped number of kilometres, or actual costs supported by a logbook). Keep supporting records for five years.
  6. Check offsets and credits. Make sure private health insurance, spouse details (if claiming low‑income spouse offset), and superannuation contributions you want to claim are included. If you or your employer made personal deductible super contributions, complete the notice of intent to claim where required.
  7. Use the ATO calculators in myTax if unsure. The myTax screens include calculators and help icons that explain what you can claim and ask for evidence where needed.
  8. Review and submit. Read the declaration carefully, tick the declaration box and submit. MyTax will give you a receipt or lodgement reference number (You should keep a copy or print the final summary). If you submit before 31 October 2026 you meet the self‑lodge deadline.
  9. Record keeping. Keep all records you relied on for five years from the date you lodge — the ATO can ask to see them. For assets sold, keep purchase and sale contracts and associated costs.
  10. Check your Notice of Assessment. The ATO usually issues a Notice of Assessment within two weeks for simple myTax returns. That document shows the final assessed tax, any refund or debt, and whether interest or penalties apply.

Step‑by‑step: using a registered tax agent

Frankly, if your tax affairs are complex — you run a business, have multiple rental properties, foreign income, large capital gains or complicated deductions — a registered tax agent can help. Here's how to use one.

  1. Find an agent registered with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB): https://www.tpb.gov.au. Check they’re registered in the tax years you need and read online reviews or ask colleagues for recommendations.
  2. Engage the agent by 31 October 2026 if you want them to access the ATO’s lodgement program and apply for later lodgement dates. Confirm their fees and the services included — for a simple individual return agents typically charge from $200–$600; more complex returns can cost $800–$2,500 or higher depending on work required.
  3. Provide all documents and signed authorisations: original PAYG summaries, bank statements, invoices, logbooks, and the last notice of assessment. Agents lodge through their software and will confirm the lodgement date and expected refund timing.
  4. Keep clear lines of communication: ask for an estimate of time to lodge, whether they expect ATO queries, and if they’ll handle objections or audits if they occur (this may be an extra cost).

Paper lodgement

You can still lodge a paper tax return, but it’s slower and prone to delays. Order or download the 2025–26 paper tax return form from the ATO at https://www.ato.gov.au/Forms/ or call the ATO. Post the completed form to the ATO address for your state — addresses are listed on the ATO website. Allow extra weeks for processing and for any refunds to arrive by bank transfer.

Tips

  • Start early — the longer you leave it, the more rushed and error‑prone it gets. Aim to lodge within a few weeks of 1 July 2026 if you have everything ready.
  • Use myGov’s ATO view — it shows pre‑filled income and your current HECS/HELP balance, PAYG credits and instalments.
  • Scan and keep digital copies of receipts and invoices. The ATO accepts digital records if they’re clear and complete.
  • If you expect to owe tax, plan for payment. The ATO offers instalment options and payment plans — contact the ATO early on 13 28 61 to set one up rather than waiting for penalties.
  • For low‑income taxpayers or simple returns, look for free help through the ATO’s Tax Help program (volunteer assistance) — see https://www.ato.gov.au/Tax-help.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Missing or incorrect TFN — this slows processing and can affect refunds.
  • Claiming private expenses as work deductions — keep clear evidence you incurred the expense primarily for work and check the ATO’s guidance before claiming.
  • Not keeping records — the ATO can require receipts, logbooks and invoices. Keep them for at least five years.
  • Forgetting to include all income — undisclosed income can trigger reviews, penalties and interest.
  • Leaving lodging late — late lodgement can lead to failure‑to‑lodge penalties and interest on any tax unpaid. If you can’t lodge on time, contact the ATO or a tax agent early to discuss options.

Related Articles

Lodging your 2026 tax return needn't be stressful. Get your myGov account linked to the ATO, gather income statements and receipts, and pick the route that suits your situation — self‑lodge via myTax if your return’s simple, or engage a registered tax agent for complex affairs. Lodge by 31 October 2026 if you’re self‑filing; engage an agent by that date to use extended schedules. Keep records for five years and check your Notice of Assessment when it arrives. For help, visit https://www.ato.gov.au or call the ATO on 13 28 61.

This article was created with AI assistance.