Frequently Asked Questions

To help you work out if you need to lodge a tax return, use the Do I need to lodge tool (Questions | Do I need to lodge a tax return? (ato.gov.au). This tool asks you a series of questions to determine whether you need to lodge a tax return. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

If you can’t lodge by the due date, you should contact ATO as soon as possible to reduce the risk of a penalty.

 You can lodge your return using myTax, the ATO’s free online tax return. You need a myGov account linked to the ATO to lodge online. Returns lodged this way are usually processed within two weeks.

Most of your income will be pre-filled from details the ATO receives from your employer and financial institutions. There may be other income you need to add yourself.

Common types of income that must be declared includes:

• Employment income
• Government payments
• Super pensions and annuities
• Investment income (including interest, dividends, rent and capital gains)
• Income from the sharing economy (for example Uber or Airbnb)
• Compensation and insurance payments
• Foreign income

Visit the ATO’s website for more information on income you must declare  Home | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au) 

Tax deductions can help to reduce your taxable income.

You may be entitled to claim a deduction for work-related or investment expenses.