How much does a tax return cost in Australia?
The short answer: lodging yourself through myTax is free, and a registered tax agent charges a fee that depends on how complicated your return is.
Tax & bookkeeping advice
Plain-English guides to deductions, tax returns, GST and bookkeeping, all in one place.
Tax return tips
When is my tax return due?
For the 2025–26 income year, the standard due date is 31 October 2026 if you lodge yourself.
How long does a tax refund take?
Most tax returns lodged online are processed in about two weeks.
Do I need to lodge a tax return?
For 2025–26, you generally need to lodge if any tax was withheld from your pay or other income, or if your taxable income was more than the tax-free threshold of $18,200 (for full-year residents).
Lodging overdue tax returns
If you haven’t lodged for a year or several, the best step is to get up to date as soon as possible.
Tax Deduction for Car Expenses?
Can I claim a tax deduction for my car expenses? Yes, but only for the work-related use of the car.
Tax Deduction for Travel Expenses?
Can I claim a tax deduction for my travel expenses? Yes, if the travel is part of doing your job and you paid for it yourself.
Tax Deduction for Work Clothing & Uniform?
Do you need to wear a uniform or protective gear at work? Then you may be able to claim the cost of buying, repairing and cleaning it.
Tax Deduction for Computer or Laptop?
Can I claim my computer or laptop on tax? Yes – for the portion you use for work. How you claim depends on what it cost and whether you…
Tax Deduction for Protection, Sunglasses and Headgear?
Working outdoors, around patients, or with hazardous materials? You may be able to claim the cost of protective items you buy yourself to…
Tax Deduction for Mobile Phone?
Can I claim my mobile phone on tax? Yes, for the part you use for work – both the handset and your plan (calls, data).
Tax Deduction for Phone Calls?
Can I claim phone calls as a tax deduction? Yes – the work-related part of your phone costs, as long as you paid them, weren't reimbursed…
Tax Deduction for Home Office Costs?
Can I claim working from home on tax? Yes, if you work from home to perform your job and you incur additional running costs as a result.
Tax Deduction for Holiday Rental Property?
Renting out a beach house, bush retreat or apartment through a short-stay platform can help cover the costs of owning it.
Tax Deduction for Personal Grooming & Makeup?
Can I claim makeup, haircuts or grooming on tax? As a rule, no. The ATO treats cosmetics, makeup, skin care, shaving products, haircuts…
Tax Deduction for Printer or Scanner?
Can I claim a printer or scanner on tax? Yes, for the work-use portion, if you bought it yourself and use it to earn your income.
Tax Deduction for Donations?
Can I claim donations on tax? Yes, if you give money or property to an organisation that is a deductible gift recipient (DGR), it's a…
Tax Deduction for Interest, Dividend and other Investment Income?
Did you know you can claim expenses you incur to earn interest, dividends and other investment income?
Tax Deduction for Self Education?
You may be able to claim self-education expenses if your study is work-related – for example, a course at a university or TAFE, a…
Tax Deduction for Rental Property?
Can I claim rental property expenses as a tax deduction? Yes. You can claim expenses for the period your property is rented or genuinely…
Tax Offsets and Rebates?
Tax offsets (sometimes called rebates) directly reduce the tax you pay on your taxable income – unlike deductions, which reduce your…
Income to declare on tax return?
One of the most important parts of your tax return is declaring all your assessable income and tax withheld.
Tax Deduction for Tools, Equipment and other assets?
If you buy tools or equipment to do your job, you can claim a deduction for the work-use portion. How you claim depends on the cost.
Bookkeeping & business tips
Do I need a bookkeeper?
Plenty of sole traders manage their own books.
How much does a bookkeeper cost?
Bookkeeping is usually charged as a fixed monthly package or by the hour.
Xero vs MYOB vs QuickBooks
All three are mainstream, cloud-based accounting packages used by Australian businesses, with bank feeds, GST and BAS reporting and STP payroll options.
Record keeping for small business: the ATO rules
The ATO requires businesses to keep records that explain all their transactions, generally for five years.
Payday Super: a guide for small employers
Since 1 July 2026, employers must pay super guarantee for each payday instead of quarterly.
Why you need an accountant?
Owner-managed businesses often do their own accounting and bookkeeping to save money. Sometimes that works – but when it backfires, it…
Six Tips for Great Bookkeeping
Record keeping (bookkeeping) is no one's favourite task. But if you own a small business, good records are vital – and required by law.
Need Help with Starting a Company?
There's a lot to think about when starting a business – product, marketing, IT and finance. Getting the set-up right (structure…
Top 10 GST mistakes in BAS reports
Online accounting software makes preparing your Business Activity Statement (BAS) easier – but software only reports what's coded into it.
7 Signs of a Great Bookkeeper
A good bookkeeper keeps your records accurate and your BAS on time. A great one also makes your processes simpler and helps you understand…
How to Organise your Business Accounting?
Keeping your business accounting organised is very achievable with a few habits. A little lack of discipline now can cause big headaches…
What Do Bookkeepers Do?
What do bookkeepers do? In short: all the financial record keeping you don't have the time or expertise to do properly.
Benefit from Financial Year End
Most business owners are focused on growing sales, not on 30 June. That's normal – but the weeks before financial year end are a valuable…
Tax topic guides
Working from home
Most employees who do some work at home can claim a deduction. The rules for 2025–26 are simple once you choose a method: the 70 cents per…
Rental property deductions
Rental property deductions fall into three groups: costs you claim in the year, costs you claim over several years, and costs you can't…
Negative gearing
Negative gearing means your deductible investment costs are higher than the income the investment earns, so you make a loss that reduces…
Capital gains tax
Capital gains tax (CGT) isn't a separate tax. A net capital gain is added to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate.
Crypto tax
If you hold crypto as an investment, the ATO treats each token as a separate CGT asset. Selling, swapping, gifting or spending it is…
Personal super contributions
Making a personal (after-tax) contribution to super and then claiming it as a deduction can reduce your tax.
Home-based business
If you run a business from home as a sole trader or partnership, you can claim the business portion of running expenses, and possibly…
GST & BAS basics
GST is a 10% tax on most goods and services sold in Australia. If you're registered, you collect it on your sales, claim credits for GST…
$1,000 standard deduction (2026–27)
From the 2026–27 income year, eligible employees automatically receive a standard deduction of up to $1,000 for work-related expenses…
Tax deductions by occupation
2025–26 deduction guides for 41 occupations.
Trades & construction
Health
Education
Transport
Hospitality & retail
Office & professional
Emergency services & defence
Creative & media
General information only. It doesn’t take your circumstances into account, and tax rules change. Check ato.gov.au or talk to us about your situation.
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