How do I lodge my tax return in Australia 2026?
You can lodge your Australian tax return for the 2025-26 financial year using the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) online service myTax, by engaging a registered tax agent, or by submitting a paper form.
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How it works in practice
Lodging Your Tax Return in Australia
There are several ways to lodge your income tax return in Australia, catering to different needs and complexities. The most common method for individuals is via the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) free online service, myTax. This platform is designed to be user-friendly, often pre-filling much of your income and employment information directly from employers and financial institutions, making the process quicker and reducing the chance of errors.
For those with more complex financial situations, such as business income, investments, or multiple properties, engaging a registered tax agent is a popular option. Tax agents are professionals who can prepare and lodge your return on your behalf, offering expert advice and potentially extending your lodgment deadline. Alternatively, you can also lodge a paper tax return, though this method is less common and generally results in slower processing times compared to electronic lodgments.
Important exceptions
While most individuals can use myTax, those with complex affairs, such as significant foreign income, specific trust distributions, or business structures, may find an agent more suitable.
Non-residents for tax purposes have different lodgment requirements and may not be able to use myTax for certain income types. If you earn over a certain threshold, you are legally required to lodge a return, even if you anticipate a nil return.
What you should do now
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Gather all necessary documents, including your income statements, bank interest statements, and records of any deductible expenses for the 2025-26 financial year.
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Choose your preferred lodgment method: myTax for self-lodgment, a registered tax agent for professional assistance, or the paper form for manual submission.
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If using myTax, access it through your myGov account, review the pre-filled information, and accurately input any additional income or deductions.
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If using a tax agent, provide them with all your financial documents and answer any questions they have to ensure an accurate submission.
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Submit your tax return by the due date (generally October 31 for self-lodgers, or later if using a tax agent) and keep copies of all records for at least five years.
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