Every year, millions of Australians lodge an income tax return with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The process is simpler than most people think, but choosing the right lodgement method can save you time, money, and stress.
Do You Need to Lodge a Tax Return?
You must lodge a tax return if:
- You paid any tax during the financial year (tax was withheld from your wages)
- You earned more than the tax-free threshold ($18,200 for 2025-26)
- You were a sole trader or ran a business
- You had a capital gains event (sold property or shares)
- The ATO has specifically asked you to lodge
Three Ways to Lodge
1. myGov (Online — Free)
The most popular method. Link your myGov account to the ATO, and most of your income information (employer PAYG summaries, bank interest, government payments) will be pre-filled. You just review, add deductions, and submit. Returns are typically processed within 2 weeks.
2. Registered Tax Agent (Paid — Recommended)
A registered tax agent can maximise your refund by identifying deductions you might miss. Fees vary but are generally tax-deductible themselves. Agents also have extended lodgement deadlines — you can lodge as late as 15 May if you're registered with one by 31 October.
3. Paper Return (Mail — Slow)
The ATO still accepts paper tax returns, but processing takes 8–12 weeks. This method is only recommended for those who cannot lodge online.
Key Deadlines
- 31 October 2026 — Deadline if lodging yourself via myGov or paper
- 15 May 2027 — Extended deadline if using a registered tax agent
- Late lodgement — You may face a penalty of $330 plus $330 for each 28 days overdue (up to $1,650)
What You'll Need
- Your TFN (Tax File Number)
- Payment summaries or income statements from all employers
- Bank interest statements
- Dividend statements and share trading records
- Receipts for work-related expenses
- Private health insurance statement
- Details of any government payments received
Pro Tip
Even if you use myGov, consider having a tax agent review your return before you lodge. Many agents offer a free initial check, and the cost of their service is often more than offset by the additional refund they find.
What Happens After You Lodge
Once you submit your return through myGov, the ATO's systems check it against the information your employer, bank, and other institutions have already reported. This is why pre-fill is so useful: the ATO receives PAYG payment summaries, bank interest, dividend and managed fund data, and government payment information directly, so most of your return is already filled in before you start.
If your return is straightforward, you will usually receive a Notice of Assessment within two weeks. Refunds are paid electronically into the bank account you nominate, typically within a few days of the assessment. Paper returns take much longer — often 8 to 12 weeks — because they are keyed in manually. Returns can be delayed if you claim deductions that don't match the ATO's expectations for your occupation, if you forget to declare income, or if you have an outstanding debt with the ATO, which will be offset against any refund.
Your 2025-26 Lodgement Action Plan
Here is a practical checklist to get your return done without stress:
- Early August: Log into myGov and check your pre-fill is complete — confirm every employer, bank account, and government payment appears.
- September: Gather receipts and records for deductions, and check your private health insurance statement if you earn above the Medicare Levy Surcharge thresholds ($101,000 single / $202,000 family for 2025-26).
- By 31 October 2026: Lodge yourself through myGov or on paper. If you plan to use a registered tax agent, make sure you are registered with them before 31 October so you get the extended deadline.
- 15 May 2027: The extended deadline for returns lodged through a registered tax agent.
Lodging late attracts penalties — the ATO can apply a failure-to-lodge penalty of $330, plus a further $330 for each 28-day period your return is overdue (capped at $1,650), and you will also pay the General Interest Charge on any tax you owe. If you have lodged late in the past, the ATO may remove the penalty the first time, but it pays to lodge on time.
When You Can Skip Lodging
You generally do not need to lodge a return if your only income was wages under the tax-free threshold ($18,200 for 2025-26) and tax was not withheld, or if you had no tax withheld, no capital gains, and no government payments. But there are two catches: you still need to lodge if the ATO sends you a notice to lodge, and if you want to claim a deduction for work expenses or a tax loss, you must lodge to access those benefits. When in doubt, the ATO's online tool or a quick call to a tax agent settles it in minutes.