Australian Tax Return Guide: How to Lodge with myTax
Everything you need to know about lodging your tax return in Australia - from myTax steps to maximizing your refund.
Tax Return Deadline: October 31 each year (or May 15 if using a registered tax agent).
Who Needs to Lodge a Tax Return?
You must lodge a tax return if:
- You earned over $18,200 in the financial year (tax-free threshold)
- You had tax withheld from your pay (even if under $18,200)
- You are a foreign resident who earned Australian income
- You received government payments like JobSeeker or Youth Allowance
- You operated a business (even if you made a loss)
- You are required to pay Medicare Levy Surcharge
You May NOT Need to Lodge If:
- You earned under $18,200 AND had no tax withheld
- You only received tax-exempt pensions or benefits
- The ATO sends you a non-lodgment advice letter
Centrelink Recipients: Even if on JobSeeker, you still need to lodge if your total income (including payments) exceeds $18,200.
How to Lodge Your Tax Return
Option 1: myTax (Free - Recommended)
myTax is the ATO’s free online system. Processing time: 10-14 business days.
Step-by-Step myTax Guide
1. Prepare Your Documents
- Payment summaries (auto-filled in myTax)
- Bank interest statements
- Private health insurance statement
- Receipts for deductions
2. Access myTax
- Go to my.gov.au
- Link your myGov account to the ATO
- Select Lodgment then Income Tax then Lodge
3. Review Pre-filled Information
- Salary and wages from employers
- Bank interest
- Government payments (Centrelink)
- Private health insurance
- HECS-HELP debt
4. Add Your Deductions
- Work-related expenses
- Donations
- Cost of managing tax affairs
- Personal super contributions
5. Review and Submit
- Check all amounts carefully
- Submit your return
- Save your receipt number
Pro Tip: myTax auto-saves your progress. You can start, save, and come back later.
Option 2: Tax Agent
Benefits:
- Extended deadline (May 15 instead of October 31)
- Professional advice on deductions
- Help with complex situations
Cost: Usually $150-$500 depending on complexity
Option 3: Paper Tax Return
- Download forms from ATO website
- Mail completed forms to ATO
- Processing time: Up to 50 business days
Maximizing Your Tax Deductions
Work-Related Expenses You Can Claim
You can claim expenses if:
- You spent the money yourself (not reimbursed)
- The expense was directly related to earning income
- You have records to prove it
Top Deductions for Employees
| Expense Type | What You Can Claim | Record Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Work from Home | 85c per hour | Timesheet of hours worked from home |
| Car Expenses | 85c per km (max 5,000km) | Logbook of work trips |
| Clothing | Uniforms, protective clothing | Receipts with employer logo |
| Phone and Internet | Work portion only | Bills plus work use estimate |
| Self-Education | Job-related courses | Receipts plus proof of relevance |
| Tools and Equipment | Items under $300 | Receipts |
| Union Fees | Full amount | Receipt or bank statement |
| Laundry | $1 per load for work clothes | Diary of loads |
Changed for 2024-25: Work from home rate increased from 67c to 85c per hour from July 1, 2024.
Investment Property Owners
Can claim:
- Loan interest
- Property management fees
- Repairs and maintenance
- Depreciation
- Insurance
- Council rates (if not self-occupied)
ATO Focus Area: Rental properties are heavily scrutinized. Keep detailed records and do not claim private use portions.
Gig Economy Workers
Uber, DoorDash, Airtasker drivers can claim:
- Car expenses (actual costs or cents per km)
- Phone expenses
- Cleaning
- Advertising
- Platform fees
Must declare ALL income - the ATO matches data from platforms.
Cryptocurrency
You MUST declare:
- Capital gains from selling crypto
- Income from mining, staking, or airdrops
The ATO receives data from Australian crypto exchanges. Undeclared crypto is a major audit trigger.
When Will I Get My Refund?
Expected Processing Times
| Lodgment Method | Expected Refund Time |
|---|---|
| myTax | 10-14 business days |
| Tax Agent (online) | 10-14 business days |
| Paper return | Up to 50 business days |
Peak Period: June-August is busiest. Lodge early (July) for faster processing.
Refund Payment Options
- Direct deposit (fastest - choose this in myTax)
- Cheque (add 2-3 weeks to processing time)
Track Your Refund
- Log into myGov
- Check Tax then Income tax then Track your refund
Record Keeping Rules
You MUST keep records for 5 years:
- Receipts over $10 (digital or paper)
- Bank statements
- Logbooks (car, work from home)
- Diary entries for small expenses
Digital Records: The ATO accepts photos of receipts. Use the ATO app or Excel to track expenses year-round.
Special Situations
First-Time Tax Filers
- Set up myGov account
- Link to ATO
- Use myTax - beginner-friendly
- Most info is pre-filled
- Start simple - only claim what you are confident about
Changed Jobs During the Year
- Include ALL payment summaries
- Check for tax withheld amounts
- Ensure TFN declaration was lodged with each employer
Worked While on Centrelink
You must declare:
- All Centrelink payments (pre-filled)
- Any casual or part-time work income
- Even if already reported to Centrelink
Helpful Resources
Official ATO Tools
- myTax - Free online lodgment
- Deduction Checker - Occupation guides
- PAYG Calculator - Estimate your refund
- ATO App - Track deductions year-round
Need Help?
- Free ATO assistance: Call 13 28 61 (individuals)
- Tax Help volunteers: Free help for simple returns (income less than $60,000)
- Find a tax agent: TPB Register
Related Resources
- Tax Return Advanced Tips - Avoid mistakes and ATO audits
- First Home Super Saver Scheme - Save for a home deposit
- Centrelink Payment Rates - Current welfare payments
- Small Business Guide - Tax obligations for businesses
Ready to lodge? Access myTax now and complete your return in 30-60 minutes!
Last updated: October 2025 | Information based on current ATO guidelines. Tax laws change frequently - always verify on the ATO website or consult a registered tax agent.