Tax Return Checklist

Tax Return Checklist 2025–26 for Individuals

Use this checklist to gather everything for your tax return. It may also remind you of deductions you would otherwise miss.

We can download much of your income information from the ATO, but it isn't always complete early in tax time, so bring your own statements to cross-check.

Personal details

• Your tax file number (TFN) and bank account details (BSB and account number) for your refund
• Your spouse's details and taxable income, and details of any dependants
• Your private health insurance statement (if you have cover)
• Last year's notice of assessment, and any letters from the ATO this year

Income

• Employment: income statements from each employer (we can also download these from the ATO)
• Government payments: Centrelink or other government payment summaries
• Interest: bank and term deposit interest
• Shares and investments: dividend statements, managed fund and trust distribution statements (including franking credits)
• Rental property: rental income statements from your agent, or your own record of rent received
• Capital gains: buy and sell details for shares, crypto, property or other assets sold, including dates, prices and costs
• Business or contract work: income and expenses if you worked under an ABN
• Overseas income: foreign employment, pension or investment income, and any foreign tax paid
• Other: employee share scheme statements, lump sums, termination or redundancy payments, and super income streams

Work-related deductions

• Car expenses: your logbook, or a record of work kilometres travelled (not your trip to and from work)
• Working from home: a record of the hours you worked from home, plus phone and internet bills if you use the actual cost method
• Travel: accommodation, meals and fares for overnight work travel
• Clothing: uniforms, protective clothing and laundry (not ordinary clothes)
• Tools and equipment: receipts for tools, computers and equipment you use for work
• Self-education: course fees, textbooks and travel for study related to your current job
• Memberships: union fees and professional association subscriptions

Other deductions and offsets

• Receipts for donations of $2 or more to registered charities
• Last year's tax agent fee (the cost of managing your tax affairs is deductible)
• Income protection insurance premiums paid outside super
• Interest on loans used to buy shares or other investments
• Personal super contributions you plan to claim, plus the acknowledgement letter from your fund
• Rental property expenses: loan interest, agent fees, council rates, insurance, repairs, and your depreciation schedule

Keep your records for at least five years. If you're not sure whether something is relevant, bring it along and we'll check.

Common questions

When is my tax return due?

If you lodge yourself, your return is due by 31 October. If you're on a registered tax agent's client list before 31 October, you can generally lodge later, as late as 15 May the following year for many clients.

Can I estimate my refund first?

Yes. Our tax calculator gives you a quick estimate before you lodge.

What if I haven't lodged for a few years?

We regularly lodge overdue returns, often several years at once, and deal with the ATO for you. See late tax returns.