Preparing to lodge your first return
Before you lodge a tax return each income year you need to work out if you need to lodge a tax return. If you don’t need to lodge, you still need to lodge a non-lodgment advice.
You should also check what’s new for individuals for updates and changes this tax time.
To lodge your tax return make sure you have all your information available, including:
- your income statement or payment summary – you will need to wait until your employer marks your income statement as tax ready
- receipts or statements for expenses you are claiming as deductions
- private health insurance statement.
If you lodge your tax return online using myTax, we will pre-fill some information for you. To lodge online you will need to create a myGov account and link it to the ATO.
How to lodge your tax return
Most individuals who earn income and had tax withheld from that income need to lodge a tax return. If you need to lodge you can choose how you prepare and lodge your tax return.
You can choose to:
- Lodge your tax return online with myTax
Prepare and lodge your own tax return online. It is the quick, safe and secure way to lodge, most process in 2 weeks. - Lodge your tax return with a registered tax agent
Use a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge your tax return, they are the only people that can charge a fee. - Lodge a paper tax return
You can use the paper tax return to lodge your tax return by mail, most refunds issue within 50 business days
If you need help to prepare and lodge your tax return, you may be eligible for our free Tax Help program. This is a service to help eligible individuals with simple tax affairs.
Tax return due date
If you are preparing and lodging your own tax return, you have from 1 July to 31 October to lodge. If you lodge online we will pre-fill most of your information in your tax return for you. You'll be less likely to leave something out.
After you lodge
If you lodge online, most tax returns process within 2 weeks (10 business days).
If you lodge by paper, tax returns can take up to 10 weeks (50 business days). If your tax return requires manual checks, it may take longer to process.
The quickest and easiest way to check the progress of your tax return is by using our self-help services.
Once we process your tax return, we'll send you your notice of assessment. If you have a tax debt, check our advice on why you may receive a tax bill.