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Checklist – tax return 2023

Complete the tax return checklist to avoid any delays when you lodge your paper tax return.

Last updated 24 May 2023

Things you need to know

To avoid any delay in the processing of your tax return, use the pre-addressed envelope provided with the tax return instructions, or use the following address:

Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
(insert the name and postcode of your nearest capital city)

For example:

Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
SYDNEY  NSW  2001

Check that you have…

  • written your tax file number
  • filled in all your personal details, including your date of birth, correctly
  • completed the appropriate details for electronic funds transfer to have your refund paid directly into a financial institution account
  • filled in the code boxes, if you were asked to do so, at questions 1, 3, 4, 8, TOTAL SUPPLEMENT INCOME OR LOSS, TOTAL INCOME OR LOSS, D1, D3, D4, SUBTOTAL, TAXABLE INCOME OR LOSS, T1, M1, Private health insurance policy details, A1 and A3
  • completed question M2, which is compulsory for all taxpayers
  • completed income tests questions IT1 to IT8
  • written totals at
    • TOTAL TAX WITHHELD
    • TOTAL SUPPLEMENT INCOME OR LOSS (if applicable)
    • TOTAL INCOME OR LOSS
    • TOTAL SUPPLEMENT DEDUCTIONS (if applicable)
    • TOTAL DEDUCTIONS
    • SUBTOTAL
    • TAXABLE INCOME OR LOSS
    • TOTAL SUPPLEMENT TAX OFFSETS (if applicable)
    • TOTAL TAX OFFSETS
     
  • completed Spouse details – married or de facto if required
  • completed your spouse's details and provided your signature in your tax return if you have consented to offset part or all of your tax refund against your spouse's Family Assistance debt.
  • completed question A1 if you were under 18 years old on 30 June 2023; this is compulsory and if not completed, you may be taxed at a higher rate than necessary
  • completed question A4 if you were in Australia on either a 417 or 462 visa that allowed you to work and holiday; this is compulsory and if not completed you may be taxed at a higher rate than necessary.
  • read, completed, signed and dated the Taxpayer's declaration on page 10 of your tax return; failure to do so will result in it being returned to you and penalties for late lodgment may be applied
  • attached copies of all documents or schedules which the tax return instructions tells you to attach
  • kept copies of your tax return, all attachments and relevant papers for your own records.

When can you expect your notice of assessment?

We aim to process tax returns within 10 weeks. If you lodged your tax return online using myTax, our standard processing time is 2 weeks.

Do you want to work out your tax?

If you want to work out your tax refund or debt, use the Income tax estimator.

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