When can I lodge my tax return?

You can lodge from 1 July for the financial year that just ended (e.g., from 1 July 2025 for the 2024-25 year). Self-lodging deadline: 31 October. If using a registered tax agent, you typically have until March the following year, but you must be registered with them by 31 October.

Why is my refund smaller than expected?

Common reasons: your employer adjusted PAYG withholding more accurately (less overpayment), you had investment income you didn't account for, you earned more than last year and moved into a higher bracket, or LMITO (Low and Middle Income Tax Offset) ended after 2021-22 which reduced refunds by up to $1,500.

What can I claim as a tax deduction?

You can claim expenses directly related to earning your income: work from home costs ($0.67/hr), car for work travel (not commuting), tools and equipment, uniforms/PPE, professional development, union fees, phone/internet (work portion), and income protection insurance premiums.

Tax Refund Estimator

Calculator

Estimate your Australian tax refund or tax bill. Enter your income, deductions, and offsets to see what to expect at tax time.

Free to useNo data storedAI insightsUpdated: February 2026

Wondering whether you'll get a tax refund or owe the ATO? The answer depends on how much tax your employer withheld vs how much you actually owe after deductions and offsets. The average Australian tax refund is around $2,600 — but many people leave money on the table by not claiming all eligible deductions. This estimator gives you a preview of your tax return outcome before you lodge.

Enter Your Details

Real-World Examples

Office Worker with Deductions

Lisa earned $78,000, had $17,500 tax withheld, and has $4,200 in deductions (home office + car + subscriptions).

Taxable income: $73,800. Tax on $73,800: $12,938. Medicare: $1,476. Total tax: $14,414. Tax withheld: $17,500. Estimated refund: $3,086. Lisa's deductions saved her $1,260 in tax.

Multiple Income Sources

Ryan earned $65,000 salary (tax withheld: $13,000) plus $8,000 in freelance income (no tax withheld) and $1,500 in bank interest.

Total income: $74,500. Tax on full amount: $13,150 + Medicare $1,490 = $14,640. Only $13,000 withheld. Ryan OWES the ATO $1,640. Freelancers and investors often owe tax because no PAYG is withheld.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

PAYG Withholding

Pay As You Go — the tax your employer deducts from your pay throughout the year and sends to the ATO on your behalf. Your tax return reconciles this against your actual tax liability.

Tax Offset

A direct reduction in tax payable (not taxable income). Unlike deductions, offsets reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Examples: LITO, private health insurance rebate.

Taxable Income

Your total income minus allowable deductions. This is the amount your tax is actually calculated on.

Related Tools

Income Tax Calculator

See a full breakdown of tax by bracket and your effective rate.

Tax Deduction Finder

Find deductions you might be missing to maximise your refund.

PAYG Withholding Calculator

Check if your employer is withholding the right amount.

How to Use

1Enter your total gross income from all sources.
2Input the total tax already withheld by your employer(s) — check your pay summaries.
3Add up your work-related deductions (home office, car, tools, etc.).
4Include any investment income (interest, dividends, rental).
5Add investment-related deductions if applicable.
6See your estimated refund or tax bill.

Key Information

The average Australian tax refund is approximately $2,600 (ATO data).
You can claim up to $300 in work deductions without receipts (but you must have actually spent the money).
Work from home? You can claim $0.67/hour using the fixed rate method (2022-23 onwards).
Tax refunds are NOT free money — they mean you've overpaid tax during the year. Ideally, your withholding matches your actual tax.

Pro Tips

Lodge your tax return early (from 1 July) to get your refund faster — the ATO processes most returns within 2 weeks.
If you use a tax agent, you have until the following March to lodge, but you must register with them by 31 October.
Track ALL work expenses during the year — a $5,000 deduction at the 30% bracket saves you $1,500.
Consider adjusting your PAYG withholding if you consistently get large refunds — you could have more in your pay instead.

Avoid These Mistakes

Not claiming work from home expenses — millions of Australians work from home but many forget to claim.
Overclaiming deductions without records — the ATO uses data matching and AI to detect anomalies.
Forgetting to declare interest income, dividends, or crypto gains — the ATO gets data directly from banks and exchanges.
Missing the $300 no-receipt threshold — you CAN claim small amounts, but total must be genuine expenses.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and should not be relied upon for financial decisions. Interest rates, fees, and policies change frequently. Always verify information with lenders directly. This is general information, not personal financial advice. Consider seeking advice from a licensed mortgage broker or financial advisor.

Last updated: February 2026