How can i get my tax back

How to lodge your tax return

Check what options you have to lodge your tax return yourself or with help from someone else.

On this page

• Preparing your tax return
• Lodgment options
• Due dates for your tax return

Preparing your tax return

A tax return is a form you complete online, on paper or get a tax agent or our Tax Help program to help you with. Your tax return that tells us:

• how much money (income) you earn
• if you are claiming any deductions.

We use this information to check if you:

• have paid enough tax or too much
• need to pay the Medicare levy or surcharge
• can get any tax offsets (for example, the low and middle income tax offsets).

If you pay more tax than you need to, we will refund the extra amount to you (this is known as a tax refund). If you don't pay enough tax then you may receive a tax bill.

Your tax return covers the income year from 1 July to 30 June. If you need to complete a tax return you must lodge it or engage with a tax agent, by 31 October.

When you lodge a tax return you include how much money you earn (income) and any expenses you can claim as a deduction.

Lodgment options

If you need to lodge a tax return, you can choose from of the following options depending on your circumstances.

• Lodge your tax return online with myTax
  Prepare and lodge your own tax return online it is the quick, safe and secure way to lodge, most process in 2 weeks.
• Lodge your tax return with a registered tax agent
  Use a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge your tax return, they are the only people that can charge a fee.
• Lodge a paper tax return
  You can use the paper tax return to lodge your tax return by mail, most refunds issue within 50 business days.

Find out more about how to lodge in specific circumstances:

• Lodging your first tax return
  Find out what you need to do if you are preparing and lodging a tax return for the first time.
• Lodge your tax return before leaving Australia
  Find out if you can lodge your tax return early (by paper) if you are leaving Australia permanently.
• Lodge your tax return from outside Australia
  Find out how you can lodge if you are outside Australia when your tax return is due.
• Lodge a prior year tax return
  Find out how to lodge if you still need to lodge a tax return for a prior year.
• Lodge a non-lodgment advice
  Check what you need to do if you don't need to lodge a tax return.

After you lodge you can check the progress of your tax return using our self-serve options.

We also have Help and support to lodge your tax return available for eligible individuals.

Due dates for your tax return

If you’re lodging your own tax return, you need to lodge it by 31 October each year.

If 31 October falls on a weekend, the due date to lodge your tax return is the next business day after 31 October.

If you choose to use the services of a registered tax agent, they will generally have special lodgment schedules and can lodge returns for clients later than 31 October. If you are using a registered tax agent, you need to engage them before 31 October.

If you're having difficulties meeting your tax obligations or are unable to lodge by 31 October, contact us as soon as possible.

If you lodge your own tax return and it results in a tax bill, payment is due by 21 November even if you lodge:

• between 1 July and 31 October
• after the 31 October.

If you miss the due date

Even if you miss the due date, it is important to lodge as soon as you can.

If you expect a tax bill, don't delay lodging. The due date for payment when you lodge your own tax return is 21 November even if you lodge late. Interest will apply to any amount you owe after 21 November.

If you're finding it hard to pay on time, you can request help with paying such as a payment plan:

• online for debts of $100,000 or less – you will need a myGov account linked to the ATO
• by automated phone service for debts of $100,000 or less
• by phone, contact us for debts over $100,000 so we can work with you to tailor a payment plan to your circumstances.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra. 

Check what options you have to lodge your tax return yourself or with help from someone else.

How do I get my taxes money back?

Do HMRC automatically refund overpaid tax?

How much tax will I get back UK?

How do I claim my tax back online?