Tax Return Checklist 2026: Everything You Need Before You Lodge

The ATO pre-fills much of your return with data from your employer, bank, and government agencies — but you are responsible for making sure it is correct and complete. Work through each income source that applies to you:

• Salary and wages: Your payment summary or income statement from each employer. If you had multiple jobs, include all of them. Check your myGov pre-fill after 14 July — most employers submit by then.
• Bank interest: Interest from savings accounts, term deposits, and offset accounts. Banks report this to the ATO, but check it's been pre-filled correctly.
• Dividends: Dividend statements from ASX shares or managed funds. Includes franking credits, which reduce your tax further.
• Rental income: Gross rent received from all investment properties for the full year.
• Government payments: Centrelink, DVA, and parental leave payments — these are assessable income (except some family payments).
• Freelance or contract income: Any amount earned as a sole trader or independent contractor, regardless of whether you received a payment summary.
• Foreign income: Any income from overseas work, pensions, or investments must be declared in Australian dollars.
• Capital gains: Proceeds from selling shares, property, or crypto assets during the year.

Review each category and gather supporting receipts before you lodge:

• Work from home: Log of hours × 67c (fixed rate method), or actual expenses with receipts and usage records. See our WFH Deductions guide for detail.
• Clothing and uniforms: Compulsory uniform, protective, or occupation-specific clothing. Include laundry (up to $1 per load if mixed, 50c per load if only work items).
• Vehicle and travel: Logbook or odometer readings, or number of kilometres for the c/km method. Include trips between worksites, to clients, and carrying bulky tools.
• Self-education: Course fees, textbooks, and stationery for study directly related to your current role.
• Tools and equipment: Receipts for items purchased for work use. Items under $300 are immediately deductible.
• Professional memberships and union fees: Often forgotten — these are fully deductible.
• Charitable donations: Receipts for donations $2+ to DGR-registered charities.
• Income protection insurance: Premiums paid outside of super.
• Investment property expenses: Loan interest, rates, insurance, agent fees, repairs. See our Investment Property Deductions guide.
• Last year's tax agent fee: The cost of preparing your 2024-25 return is deductible in your 2025-26 return.

Tax offsets are applied after your tax is calculated and reduce it dollar for dollar — they're more valuable than deductions:

• Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): Up to $700 for incomes under $37,500. Applied automatically.
• Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO): This ended in 2021-22 and does not apply in 2025-26. Don't be misled by outdated information.
• Medicare Levy reduction or exemption: If your income is below $26,000 (single) or you have certain medical exemptions, your Medicare levy is reduced or nil. Check our Medicare Levy Calculator.
• Private health insurance rebate: If your PHI rebate was claimed as a premium reduction, you just need to confirm your insurer's details in your return. If you didn't claim it upfront, claim it as an offset now using our Health Insurance Rebate Calculator.
• Franking credits: Included in your dividend income and reduce your tax. May result in a refund if your tax liability is lower than the credits attached.
• Super co-contribution: If you made personal non-concessional super contributions, you may qualify for a government co-contribution of up to $500.

Lodge your own return via myTax (through myGov) from 1 July 2026. The deadline for self-lodgers is 31 October 2026. If you use a registered tax agent, their clients have an extended deadline — typically 15 May 2027 — but you must be on their books by 31 October 2026.

Refunds are usually processed within 2 weeks for simple returns lodged via myTax. Complex returns or those with rental income can take longer. If you owe tax, payment is due by 21 November 2026 for self-lodgers.

For HECS/HELP repayments: if you had a HELP debt and your income exceeded the threshold ($54,435 for 2025-26), your employer should have withheld additional tax through your withholding variation. If they didn't, you'll have a tax bill. Use our HECS Calculator to estimate your compulsory repayment.

When can I lodge my 2025-26 tax return?
From 1 July 2026. The ATO recommends waiting until late July to ensure your income statement has been finalised by your employer and all pre-fill data is available.

Do I have to lodge a tax return?
You must lodge if your taxable income exceeds the tax-free threshold ($18,200) or if you're required to repay HELP/HECS debt, had tax withheld, or received certain government payments. Even if your income is below the threshold, lodging a return can generate a refund of withheld tax.

Can I amend a return if I missed a deduction?
Yes. You can amend a return within two years of the original lodgement date (four years for companies). Use myTax or contact your tax agent to lodge an amendment.

What if I have a HECS debt?
Your HECS repayment is calculated on your taxable income and automatically included in your tax assessment. See our HECS Repayment Thresholds guide for the current rates and thresholds.