This article provides general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information in this article, you should consider whether it is appropriate for you and seek advice from a licensed financial adviser if necessary.

July marks the start of tax return season in Australia. The 2025-26 financial year ended on 30 June 2026, and most Australians can now lodge their individual tax return through myTax, the ATO’s free online portal. Acting early means you may receive your refund sooner, and following the right steps ensures you claim every deduction you are entitled to.

What You Will Learn

This guide walks you through lodging your tax return via myTax and identifies the most commonly missed deductions that could increase your refund. You will learn how to access myTax, navigate the return, claim work-related expenses, and avoid common errors that delay processing.

Step 1: Check You Are Ready to Lodge

Before you start, confirm that all your income information has been pre-filled by the ATO. Employers, banks, health insurers and government agencies report directly to the ATO, but this data can take up to two weeks after the end of the financial year to appear in your myTax account.

According to the Australian Taxation Office, if you lodge too early before all income is reported, you may need to amend your return later. Wait until mid-July 2026 if you have multiple income sources, investment income, or private health insurance.

Step 2: Access myTax Through myGov

Log in to your myGov account at my.gov.au and select the Australian Taxation Office service. If you have not linked the ATO to your myGov account, you will need to do so using your Tax File Number, date of birth, and details from a previous tax return or ATO correspondence.

Once linked, select “Tax” then “Lodgements” and choose “Income tax return 2026” to begin.

Step 3: Review Pre-Filled Information

myTax automatically imports income from employers (PAYG payment summaries), banks (interest), managed funds (distributions), and government payments (Centrelink, JobSeeker). Review each section carefully. If information is missing or incorrect, contact the payer before lodging. Do not manually override pre-filled data without verifying the discrepancy, as mismatches trigger ATO reviews.

Check the following sections:

  • Salary and wages
  • Interest income
  • Dividend income (including franking credits)
  • Government payments
  • Private health insurance details
  • HECS/HELP debt status

This is where most Australians can increase their refund. You can claim deductions for expenses directly related to earning your income, provided you have records (receipts, bank statements, logbooks) and were not reimbursed by your employer.

Common work-related deductions include:

  • Work from home expenses: If you worked from home during the 2025-26 year, you can claim a portion of electricity, internet, phone, and office equipment costs. The ATO offers a shortcut method (67 cents per hour worked from home as of July 2026, verify current rate at ato.gov.au) or the actual cost method if you keep detailed records.
  • Vehicle and travel expenses: If you used your personal car for work-related travel (excluding commuting between home and your regular workplace), you can claim either the cents-per-kilometre method (up to 5,000 km, currently 85 cents per km, verify current rate) or the logbook method for higher claims.
  • Self-education: Courses, textbooks, and seminars that relate directly to your current employment are deductible.
  • Tools, equipment, and clothing: Work-specific tools, protective clothing, and uniforms (including laundry) are deductible. Ordinary clothing is not, even if your employer requires a dress code.
  • Union fees and professional memberships: Subscriptions to industry bodies and union fees are fully deductible.
  • Technology and phone expenses: If you use your personal phone or laptop for work, claim the work-related portion based on a representative usage period.

Keep records for five years in case of an ATO audit.

Read also: Australian Income Tax Calculator: Work Out Your Take-Home Pay for 2024 to 2025

Step 5: Claim Investment and Rental Property Deductions

If you hold shares, ETFs, or managed funds, you can deduct the cost of managing your investments, including brokerage fees, investment adviser fees, and interest on investment loans. Do not forget to include franking credits attached to dividends, which may increase your refund if your marginal tax rate is below 30%.

According to the ATO guidance on investments and assets, if you own an investment property, claim all eligible expenses: interest on the loan, council rates, strata fees, insurance, property management fees, repairs, and depreciation. Rental income and expenses are declared in the “Rental properties” section of myTax.

Capital losses from the sale of shares or property can be carried forward to offset future capital gains. Declare them even if you have no capital gains this year.

Step 6: Claim Private Health Insurance Offset

If you hold private health insurance and earn below the relevant income threshold, you may be entitled to the private health insurance rebate. myTax pre-fills this information from your insurer. Verify the amount matches your annual statement.

Step 7: Review and Lodge

Once all sections are complete, myTax calculates your refund or tax payable. Review the summary carefully, check your bank account details for refund deposit, and lodge electronically. You will receive a lodgement receipt immediately via myGov inbox.

Refunds are typically processed within two weeks if you lodge online and have no discrepancies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lodging before all income is pre-filled by employers and financial institutions.
  • Claiming personal expenses as work-related (such as regular commuting or ordinary clothing).
  • Failing to keep receipts and records (you must substantiate claims over $300, and the ATO can request proof for any amount).
  • Not declaring all income, including cash payments, side work, and cryptocurrency gains.
  • Manually changing pre-filled data without verifying the error with the payer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deadline to lodge my tax return for 2025-26?
31 October 2026 for individuals lodging their own return. If you use a registered tax agent, the deadline is extended to May 2027.

Can I amend my return after lodging?
Yes. If you discover an error or missed deduction, request an amendment through myTax. You have two years from the original lodgement to amend without requiring special permission.

Do I need to lodge if I earned under the tax-free threshold?
You are not required to lodge if your income was below $18,200 and no tax was withheld, but you should lodge if tax was withheld to claim a refund. You must also lodge if you had a HECS/HELP debt or received certain government payments.

How long does a refund take?
Most refunds are processed within 14 days when lodged online via myTax. Complex returns, rental properties, or capital gains may take longer.

Conclusion

Lodging your tax return via myTax is straightforward, free, and allows you to claim every deduction you are entitled to. Start in mid-July 2026 once all your income is pre-filled, review each section carefully, claim all eligible work-related and investment expenses, and keep records for five years. If your tax affairs are complex (multiple investment properties, significant capital gains, or business income), consider engaging a registered tax agent for personalised advice. Otherwise, myTax provides everything you need to lodge accurately and maximise your refund.