Tax Return Calculator 2025–26
Estimate your Australian tax refund in a minute, free. Enter your income and the tax withheld from your income statement, then add your deductions to see the difference they make.
We agree a fixed fee with you before any work starts.
Estimate your tax refund
Choose 2025–26 for the return you lodge now (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026), 2026–27 to see your tax for this financial year, or 2024–25 for a late return.
Estimate only, for a single person with no dependants, using ATO rates and thresholds for the selected year (2026–27 Medicare levy low-income thresholds use the 2025–26 figures until they are announced). Excludes family thresholds, the private health insurance rebate and offsets other than the low income tax offset. Speak with our tax agents for advice specific to you.
Australian income tax rates 2025–26
The rates the calculator uses for the 2025–26 financial year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026). Most residents also pay the 2% Medicare levy, which is reduced or nil on low incomes. Change the financial year above to see other years.
Australian residents
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | $4,288 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | $31,288 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | $51,638 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
Foreign residents
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| $0 – $135,000 | 30c for each $1 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | $40,500 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | $60,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
What you need to use the calculator
- Your income: your salary and wages for the year before tax. Your income statement in myGov (ATO online services, under Employment) shows it once your employer marks it "tax ready", usually by mid-July.
- Tax withheld: also on your income statement. It decides whether you get a refund or have tax to pay.
- Deductions: work-related expenses you can prove, such as working from home, tools and equipment, union fees and the cost of managing your tax affairs. See what you can claim on tax.
- Your situation: whether you have a HELP or other study loan, whether you have private hospital cover, and whether you are an Australian resident for tax purposes. Each changes how much tax you pay.
How your tax refund is calculated
Your refund is the difference between the tax withheld from your pay during the year and the tax you actually owe on your taxable income:
- Taxable income: your income minus your deductions (and anything you salary sacrificed to super).
- Income tax: tax on your taxable income at the rates shown under the calculator, minus any tax offsets, such as the low income tax offset of up to $700.
- Other amounts: the Medicare levy (2% for most people), the Medicare levy surcharge if you earn over the threshold without private hospital cover, and any compulsory study loan repayment.
- Refund or tax payable: tax withheld minus the total. If the total is more than what was withheld, you have tax to pay.
Worked example
Sam earns a salary of $85,000 in 2025–26 and their income statement shows $18,300 of tax withheld. Sam has $1,500 of work-related deductions, private hospital cover and no study loan.
- Taxable income: $85,000 − $1,500 = $83,500
- Income tax: $4,288 on the first $45,000, plus 30% of the $38,500 above it ($11,550) = $15,838
- Medicare levy: 2% of $83,500 = $1,670
- Total tax: $15,838 + $1,670 = $17,508
- Estimated refund: $18,300 − $17,508 = $792
Without the deductions, Sam's refund would be $312. The $1,500 of deductions is worth $480, because each dollar of deductions saves tax at Sam's marginal rate of 30% plus the 2% Medicare levy.
Why your actual refund might be different
- Other income: bank interest, dividends, rental income, capital gains and side income are added to your taxable income, usually with no tax withheld.
- Two jobs: if you claimed the tax-free threshold from both employers, too little tax was probably withheld and you may owe tax.
- Your circumstances: the calculator is for a single person. Family Medicare levy thresholds, the private health insurance rebate and offsets other than the low income tax offset aren't included.
- Debts: the ATO uses refunds to pay any tax debt you owe, and some other government debts such as child support, before paying you the rest.
If your refund is smaller than you expected, see why your tax refund might be low.
How to increase your refund
- Claim everything you're entitled to, and keep the records: working from home, claims without receipts and the $1,000 standard deduction from 2026–27.
- Keep a car logbook if you drive for work. Our free ATO-compliant logbook template makes it easy.
- Don't lodge too early. Wait until your income statement is tax ready and the ATO's pre-filled details have arrived, usually by the end of July, so nothing is missed. See when to lodge your tax return.
- Use a registered tax agent. We check every deduction and offset, the fee is tax deductible next year, and agent clients generally get longer than 31 October to lodge. Book a tax return appointment.
Tax return calculator FAQs
It uses the ATO's tax rates, Medicare levy, low income tax offset and study loan rules for the year you choose, so for a single person with salary or wages it gives a close estimate. Your actual refund can differ if you have other income, a family, or offsets the calculator doesn't include. A registered tax agent can work out the exact figure.
The ATO says most tax returns lodged online are processed in about two weeks. Paper returns can take up to 50 business days. Your refund can take longer if the ATO needs to check something or you have debts it needs to settle first.
The most common reasons are working two jobs and claiming the tax-free threshold from both, income with no tax withheld (such as interest, rent or side income), a compulsory study loan repayment, or the Medicare levy surcharge if you don't have private hospital cover. If you can't pay in full, the ATO offers payment plans.
For Australian residents: nil on the first $18,200, 16% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000 and 45% above $190,000, plus the 2% Medicare levy for most people. From 1 July 2026 the 16% rate falls to 15%. The full tables are under the calculator.
From 1 July 2026 the 16% rate falls to 15%. For Australian residents: nil on the first $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000 and 45% above $190,000, plus the 2% Medicare levy for most people. Choose 2026–27 in the calculator to see your tax and take-home pay for this financial year.
Add the income from both jobs together, and add up the tax withheld shown on both income statements. If you claimed the tax-free threshold from both employers, too little tax was probably withheld, so the calculator may show tax to pay. You can only claim the threshold from one employer at a time.
Not accurately. Working holiday makers (subclass 417 and 462 visas) pay 15% on the first $45,000 instead of getting the tax-free threshold, and different rules apply to residency and super. Our tax agents can prepare a working holiday maker return for you.
Yes. Tick "I have a HELP / HECS study loan" and it adds your compulsory repayment for the year. From 2025–26, repayments are worked out only on the part of your income above the repayment threshold ($67,000 for 2025–26).
Yes, choose 2024–25. For earlier years, or several years at once, our late tax returns service can lodge them for you and deal with the ATO about any penalties.
The $1,000 standard deduction starts in 2026–27, so it doesn't affect your 2025–26 refund. For 2026–27, if your work-related expenses are $1,000 or less, enter $1,000 as your deductions, plus any union fees, donations or tax agent fees. See how the $1,000 standard deduction works.
No. The calculator works in your browser and nothing you enter is stored or sent to us.
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