A step-by-step guide to lodging your 2025–26 Australian tax return — key dates, what you need, common deductions, and how AWTS can help you get it right.

Tax time comes around every year, but that doesn't mean it gets any less confusing. Between remembering what you can claim, chasing down payment summaries, and trying to figure out whether you're better off lodging yourself or using an agent, it's easy to put your tax return off until the last minute.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to complete and lodge your 2025–26 tax return — the return that covers income you earned between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. We'll cover the key dates, what's changed this year, what to gather before you start, how to lodge, and the deductions people most commonly miss.

Key dates for the 2025–26 tax return

Missing a deadline is one of the easiest ways to end up with a penalty, so it's worth putting these dates in your calendar now.

1 July 2026 — Tax time officially opens, and you can lodge your return. It's usually worth waiting a couple of weeks before you lodge, since employers, banks and health funds have until mid-to-late July to finalise their data with the ATO. Lodging too early can mean your pre-fill information is incomplete, increasing the risk you'll need to amend it later. Please never lodge before 18 July 20XX, any year.
31 October 2026 — The deadline to lodge your own tax return if you're not using a registered tax agent. This applies whether you lodge through myTax or on paper.
15 May 2027 — You can access the extended deadline if you're registered with a tax agent, such as AWTS, by 31 October 2026. To qualify for this extension, you generally need to be up to date with your previous returns and not have any overdue debts with the ATO or Centrelink.

If you can't lodge by 31 October and you're not signed up with a tax agent, it's worth registering with one before that date — even if your agent doesn't get to your return straight away, being on their client list before the deadline can protect you from late lodgment penalties.

What's new for the 2025–26 tax return

A few things have changed since last year that are worth knowing about before you lodge.

Gifts and donations. The old $2 minimum for claiming a tax-deductible gift has been removed, so donations of any amount to an eligible deductible gift recipient can now be claimed, provided you have the right records.

Interest charges are no longer deductible. General interest charges (GIC) and shortfall interest charges (SIC) that you incur on or after 1 July 2025 can no longer be claimed as a tax deduction.

If you're carrying ATO debt, this makes it more important than ever to pay it down or set up a payment plan. Or refinance it with an external provider, which will be tax-deductible.

Rental property rules have been clarified. The ATO has issued updated guidance on when rental income is assessable and which expenses are deductible, including how to apportion expenses fairly for holiday homes and properties with mixed personal and rental use. If you own an investment property, it's worth reviewing your records against the latest guidance, or better yet, having an agent check it for you. You need to remember the grandfathering rules for existing properties before budget night.

The Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive has ended. This scheme closed on 30 June 2025, so exploration credits can no longer be claimed for the 2025–26 year onwards.

One thing that's not changing this year: the income tax brackets. The next round of tax cuts (a drop in the 16% rate to 15%) doesn't take effect until 1 July 2026, so it will apply to next year's return, not this one.

What you need before you start

Getting your paperwork together before you sit down to lodge will save you a lot of back-and-forth. Have these ready:

Your tax file number (TFN) and myGov account linked to the ATO.
Income statements from your employer(s) — most are now sent electronically via Single Touch Payroll and will show as "Tax ready" in myGov, but check every employer you worked for during the year, including short-term or casual roles.
Bank interest statements and details of any dividend income, managed fund distributions, or crypto asset disposals.
Government payment summaries, if you received JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, or other Centrelink payments.
Private health insurance statement, if applicable. Recommended for incomes over $90k for singles.
Records of work-related expenses — receipts, logbooks, or diary entries for anything you plan to claim.
Details of any spouse's income, since this affects offsets like the Medicare levy surcharge and some tax offsets.
Bank account details for your refund.

How to lodge your return

You have three main options.

1. Lodge yourself through myTax. This is the ATO's free online lodgment service, accessed through myGov. Most of your income information — wages, bank interest, private health insurance — will be pre-filled automatically once your employer and financial institutions report it, usually by late July. You then add any deductions, check everything is correct, and submit. Most electronic returns are processed within two weeks.

2. Use a registered tax agent. A tax agent can lodge on your behalf, offer advice on what you're entitled to claim, and give you access to the later 15 May deadline. Only registered agents are legally allowed to charge a fee for preparing and lodging your return, and their fee is generally tax-deductible next year. This is usually the better option if your return is more complex — multiple income sources, an investment property, capital gains, or a business — or if you'd simply rather have a professional check your figures than risk an ATO review later.

3. Lodge a paper return. Still possible, but slower, with refunds typically taking up to 50 business days. Most people avoid this option unless they have a specific reason to use it.

Deductions people often miss

The golden rule for any deduction is that you must have spent the money yourself, it must directly relate to earning your income, and you need a record to prove it. Some commonly overlooked deductions include:

Working-from-home costs, using either the fixed rate method (which covers electricity, internet, phone and stationery at a set rate per hour) or the actual cost method, provided you keep the right records for whichever method you choose.
Self-education expenses, where the course directly relates to your current role.
Income protection insurance premiums, if the policy isn't paid through your super fund.
Union and professional membership fees.
Tools, equipment and uniforms specific to your job, including laundering costs for compulsory or protective uniforms.
Donations to registered charities, now deductible from the first dollar.
The cost of managing your tax affairs, including any fee you paid a tax agent last year.
Please download our quote and tax checklist and deductions spreadsheet for the 2026 year here: Tax Checklist

If you're not sure whether something qualifies, it's far safer to ask than to guess — over-claiming is one of the most common triggers for an ATO review.

Mistakes that slow things down or cost you money

A few things consistently trip people up at tax time:

Lodging before your income statement is finalised, which often means having to amend your return later.
Forgetting a second job, short-term gig work, or bank interest, all of which the ATO can already see through data-matching, even if you don't declare it.
Claiming deductions without records. The ATO can (and does) ask for evidence, sometimes years after you've lodged.
Missing the 31 October deadline without being registered with a tax agent, which can trigger a failure-to-lodge penalty.
Not declaring capital gains from selling shares, crypto, or an investment property.

Do you need a tax agent?

If your tax situation is simple — one employer, no investments, straightforward deductions — lodging through myTax yourself is often perfectly manageable. But if you've got rental property income, capital gains, multiple income streams, or you're just not confident you're claiming everything you're entitled to, a registered tax agent can make a real difference, both in accuracy and in what ends up in your refund.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss the 31 October deadline? If you're not registered with a tax agent and you lodge late, the ATO can apply a failure-to-lodge penalty, generally charged in 28-day blocks. If you know you're going to be late, the best move is to lodge as soon as you can, or register with a tax agent before the deadline to access the extended date.

Do I still need to lodge if I earned under the tax-free threshold? Possibly. Even if your income was below $18,200, you may still need to lodge a return or receive a non-lodgment advice, particularly if tax was withheld from your pay. It's worth checking rather than assuming you're exempt. If you think you may inherit property overseas, we suggest lodging a tax return so you can qualify for the certificate of residency.

How long does it take to get my refund? Returns lodged online through myTax or a tax agent are usually processed within two weeks. Paper returns can take up to 50 business days.

Can I amend my return after I've lodged it? Yes. If you realise you've left something out or made a mistake, you can request an amendment through myGov or ask your tax agent to do it for you. It's far better to fix it yourself than to wait for the ATO to catch it.

Getting it right the first time

At AWTS, we specialise in making tax returns simple. Whether you've got a straightforward return, a late lodgment to sort out, or something more complex like an investment property or a deceased estate to manage, we'll walk you through exactly what you need and take care of the lodgment for you. Get in touch to book a consultation, online or in person, before the rush hits closer to the October deadline. For all quotes, click here; for just the individual tax checklist, click here; for a business tax checklist, click here

This article is general information only and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, speak with a registered tax agent.

AWTS Tax Registered number is 78641007

Please text us for everything else. Please include your email and first name in the sms or WHATSAPP 0488854200

How to Complete and Lodge Your 2025–26 Tax Return in Australia (2026 Guide)