What Is myTax?
myTax is the Australian Taxation Office's free online tax return service, available through your myGov account. It is designed for individuals lodging their own tax returns and is pre-filled with information from employers, banks, government agencies, and health funds — saving you significant time and effort.
Who Can Use myTax?
myTax is suitable for most Australian individuals, including:
- Employees with salary or wage income
- People with investment income (interest, dividends, or rental income)
- Those claiming work-related deductions
- Government payment recipients (e.g. Centrelink, JobSeeker)
- People with foreign income (some limitations apply)
If your tax affairs are more complex — such as running a business with complex structures or managing a self-managed super fund — a registered tax agent may be more appropriate.
Key Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Tax year ends | 30 June |
| Tax return lodgement opens | 1 July |
| Lodgement deadline (self-lodging) | 31 October |
| Extended deadline (via tax agent) | May following year (varies) |
What to Gather Before You Start
While myTax pre-fills much of your data, it's important to review and supplement it with your own records. Gather the following:
- Payment summaries or income statements from all employers
- Bank statements showing interest earned
- Private health insurance details (name of fund, membership number, premiums paid)
- Receipts for deductions — work-related expenses, charitable donations, self-education costs
- Rental property records if applicable
- Details of any government payments received
Step-by-Step: Lodging via myTax
Step 1: Log in to myGov and Open myTax
Go to my.gov.au, log in, and select the ATO tile. Navigate to Tax > Lodgments > Income tax and select the tax year you're lodging for.
Step 2: Confirm Pre-filled Information
myTax will populate your return with data from employers, banks, and the ATO. Review each section carefully — pre-filled data is not always complete or accurate, and you are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of your return.
Step 3: Add Any Missing Income
Add any income sources not already pre-filled, such as cash income, foreign income, or income from side activities.
Step 4: Claim Your Deductions
This is where many people can increase their refund. Common claimable deductions include:
- Work-from-home expenses (using the ATO's fixed rate or actual cost method)
- Uniforms and protective clothing
- Union or professional membership fees
- Work-related tools, equipment, and subscriptions
- Gifts or donations to deductible gift recipients (DGRs)
Step 5: Answer Remaining Questions
myTax will ask a series of questions tailored to your situation — about private health insurance, Medicare levy, spouse details, and more. Answer these carefully as they affect your final tax calculation.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Before submitting, review the summary page to confirm your total income, deductions, and estimated refund or tax payable. Once satisfied, click Submit.
When Will You Receive Your Refund?
Most refunds are processed within two weeks of lodgement for straightforward returns. Complex returns or those flagged for review may take longer. You can track your return status in real time through your ATO account on myGov.
Important Reminders
- Keep receipts and records for all claims for at least five years.
- The ATO cross-checks data with employers, banks, and other agencies — so accuracy matters.
- If you make an error, you can amend a lodged return through myTax.