Most people can lodge an individual tax return without too much trouble if they only have salary or wages and a few basic deductions. The main mistakes happen when people lodge too early, miss income, or claim expenses without the right records.
This guide walks through what you need for the 2025–26 income year and how to lodge correctly in 2026.
- Choose your method. Use myTax for simple returns, or go with a registered tax agent for more complex situations involving business, investment, or rental income.
- Wait for readiness. Avoid rushing; ensure your income statements are marked “tax ready”, and pre-filled data is complete before you start.
- Prioritise accuracy. Verify all pre-filled information, keep proper records for every claim, and submit by 31 October to avoid errors and potential ATO penalties.
Contents
- What is an individual tax return?
- Do you need to lodge a tax return?
- What information do you need before lodging?
- How do you lodge your tax return online with myTax?
- What are the individual tax rates for 2025–26?
- What changes from 1 July 2026?
- What deductions can you claim?
- Watch this space: Proposed $1,000 instant work-related deduction
- When is your tax return due?
- Should you lodge yourself or use a registered tax agent?
- What happens after you lodge?
- Individual tax return checklist
- FAQs
- Getting your tax return right
What is an individual tax return?
An individual tax return is the report you lodge with the ATO that shows your income, deductions, offsets, and tax already withheld.
It is not just for people expecting a refund. You may need to lodge even if you do not expect any money back.
Do you need to lodge a tax return?
Many individuals need to lodge if they:
- Earned income above the tax-free threshold
- Had tax withheld from salary or wages
- Received reportable fringe benefits or reportable super contributions
- Earned business or sole trader income
- Received investment income
- Earned rental income
- Made a capital gain
- Received foreign income
- Had a HELP/HECS repayment obligation
- Were asked by the ATO to lodge
Even if you don’t need to lodge, you may still need to submit a non-lodgement advice.
If you are unsure, it is worth checking your circumstances against the ATO rules or speaking with a registered tax agent.
What information do you need before lodging?
Before you start, gather the information you need to check your return properly.
- MyGov login details
- ATO linked to your myGov account
- Income statements from employers
- Bank interest
- Dividend statements
- Private health insurance statement
- Receipts for deductions
- Records of work-related expenses
- Working from home records
- Car expense records
- Rental property records, if relevant
- Investment or capital gains records
- Cryptocurrency transaction records, if relevant
- Sole trader or side hustle income and expense records
- Super contribution notices, if claiming personal super contributions
- Spouse details, where relevant
- Dependent details, where relevant
Don’t rush to lodge before pre-filled information is available and your income statements are marked “tax ready”. Pre-fill is useful, but it’s not complete proof that everything is correct.
How do you lodge your tax return online with myTax?
Follow these steps to complete and submit your tax return online using the myTax platform.
- Sign in to myGov.
- Link your myGov account to the ATO if you have not already done so.
- Open myTax.
- Check your pre-filled income information.
- Add any missing income.
- Add eligible deductions.
- Check offsets, Medicare levy, and private health insurance details.
- Review your estimated refund or tax payable.
- Declare that the information is true and correct.
- Submit your return.
- Save or download your lodgement receipt.
Pre-fill makes the process easier, but it doesn’t replace your own review. You are still responsible for the return you lodge.
What are the individual tax rates for 2025–26?
The 2025–26 resident tax rates are as follows:
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16 cents for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | $4,288 plus 30 cents for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | $31,288 plus 37 cents for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | $51,638 plus 45 cents for each $1 over $190,000 |
These rates don’t include the Medicare levy or any offsets that may apply.
To estimate your taxes, remember that these tax rates are progressive. This means that only the portion of your income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket’s rate. The ATO will compare the tax withheld during the year with your final tax when you lodge.
What changes from 1 July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the 16% rate for taxable income between $18,201 and $45,000 will be reduced to 15%. From 1 July 2027, that rate is set to reduce further to 14%.
These changes apply to future income years. They should not be confused with the 2025–26 return you lodge in 2026.
What deductions can you claim?
You can generally claim deductions that are directly related to earning your income and that you paid for yourself. Common examples include:
- Work-related expenses
- Self-education linked to your current job
- Union fees
- Professional memberships
- Car expenses (apportioned for business use)
- Home office costs
- Some investment-related expenses
The key is to claim only what you can support. For example, you can’t claim private expenses just because they helped you do your job.
Watch this space: Proposed $1,000 instant work-related deduction
The Government has proposed a $1,000 instant deduction for work-related expenses from the 2026–27 income year. The measure is intended to simplify work-related expense claims for eligible workers.
However, this rule has yet to come into effect. As such, it won’t apply to your lodgement in the 2025–2026 year.
Additionally, if you have work-related expenses above $1,000, you may still need to claim actual expenses with records. Make sure to keep thorough records in the coming year, regardless of the legislative changes.
When is your tax return due?
If you lodge yourself, the usual deadline is 31 October. If 31 October falls on a weekend or public holiday, the timing may shift.
Registered tax agents can often access later lodgement dates if you’re registered with them by the required date. That said, late lodgement may lead to penalties or interest, so contact the ATO or a tax agent if you can’t lodge on time.
Should you lodge yourself or use a registered tax agent?
If your return is fairly straightforward, then you can lodge it yourself through myTax. That can work well if you only have salary or wages and a small number of simple deductions.
A registered tax agent can be helpful if you have multiple income sources, such as side hustles, rental, investments, and business income sources, or if your deductions are more complex. In this case, an agent can also help reduce the risk of missing income or of incorrectly claiming something.
What happens after you lodge?
After you lodge, the ATO processes your return and issues a notice of assessment. That notice shows your taxable income, tax payable, offsets, Medicare levy, and refund or amount owing.
Refunds are usually paid into the bank account you nominated. The ATO may contact you if it needs to check information, and you should keep your records after lodging. Estimated refunds in myTax are not final until the notice of assessment is issued.
Individual tax return checklist
Get ready for the tax season with our handy checklist.
- Confirm whether you need to lodge.
- Link myGov to the ATO.
- Wait until your income statement is marked tax-ready.
- Check pre-filled income against your own records.
- Add any missing income.
- Gather receipts and deduction records.
- Check working-from-home and car expense records.
- Review private health insurance details.
- Include investment, rental, crypto or side income where relevant.
- Check HELP/HECS and Medicare levy details.
- Review your estimated refund or tax bill.
- Lodge by the deadline or speak to a registered tax agent.
- Save your notice of assessment and records.
FAQs
How do I lodge my individual tax return online?
You can lodge online through myGov and myTax. Sign in, check your pre-filled information, add missing income and deductions, then submit the return.
When is my individual tax return due?
If you lodge yourself, the usual deadline is 31 October. Registered tax agents may be able to access later dates if you are already with them by the required time.
What are the tax brackets for 2025–26?
The resident tax brackets for 2025–26 are $0–$18,200, $18,201–$45,000, $45,001–$135,000, $135,001–$190,000 and over $190,001. Check out the table in the article for more details.
Should I lodge before my income statement is marked tax ready?
It’s better not to. Waiting helps you avoid missing income or lodging with incomplete pre-fill data.
Can I claim the proposed $1,000 instant work-related deduction?
Not for the 2025–26 return. It’s a proposed future measure, so current deduction rules still apply.
Do I need a tax agent to lodge my return?
Not always. A tax agent is more useful if your tax affairs are more complex or you want help checking deductions and records.
What happens after I lodge my tax return?
The ATO processes it and issues a notice of assessment. That document confirms your refund or amount owing and shows how the ATO assessed your return.
Getting your tax return right
Although you can amend your tax return, the information you provide to the ATO must be accurate and truthful. The ATO are tasked with following up on tax returns that contain discrepancies, and hefty fines can apply.
Whichever way you choose to lodge your taxes, accuracy is a must. If you have further questions about lodging your tax return, it’s worth consulting a registered tax agent like Lawpath.
