Every year, Australians rush to gather receipts, figure out deductions, and meet deadlines. Miss the October 31 deadline and you could face penalties. Miss a deduction and you're leaving money on the table.
Tax Deadline Reminders
Get reminded about October 31 (self-lodge) and May (via agent) deadlines well in advance
EOFY Preparation Checklist
Step-by-step guide to maximise super contributions, gather receipts, and prepare before June 30
Bill & Fee Review Reminders
Annual reminders to compare electricity, gas, internet, and phone plans
Mortgage & Investment Tracking
Track mortgage refix dates, investment reviews, and council rates
Follow this checklist to stay organised and maximise your return.
Work expenses, donations, medical expenses over threshold, self-education, tools, and equipment. Check emails and bank statements.
Download from myGov (employers report via STP). Check bank interest, dividends, and rental income.
Pre-tax (concessional) cap is $30K. Maximise before June 30 to reduce taxable income. Track personal contributions.
Rental income, agent fees, repairs, depreciation schedule, council rates, water, insurance, and strata fees.
Dividends (franked and unfranked), capital gains/losses, crypto transactions, and managed fund distributions.
Record hours worked from home. Choose fixed-rate (67c/hr) or actual cost method. Keep a logbook if using actual costs.
Deadline is October 31 if self-lodging. Register with a tax agent by this date for May extension. Lodge early for faster refund.
Ensure Tax File Numbers are on all bank accounts to avoid top marginal rate (47%) withholding on interest.
Key tax dates you need to know:
Tax return deadline if self-lodging with myTax
Extended deadline if registered with a tax agent before October 31
End of financial year — last day for super contributions and EOFY purchases
ATO finalisation date for income statements (check myGov)
Everything you need to know about tax returns and financial deadlines
If you self-lodge using myTax, the deadline is October 31. If you register with a registered tax agent before October 31, you get an extension — typically until May of the following year. Always check with your agent for exact dates.
Common deductions include work-related expenses (uniforms, tools, training), self-education, charitable donations, union fees, home office costs, and investment-related expenses. Keep all receipts. The ATO's myDeductions tool in the myTax app can help track them.
The concessional (pre-tax) contribution cap is $30,000 for 2025-26. This includes employer contributions and salary sacrifice. Making additional contributions before June 30 can reduce your taxable income significantly.
If you miss October 31 and haven't registered with a tax agent, the ATO may charge a failure to lodge on time (FTL) penalty. The penalty is typically one penalty unit ($313) per 28 days late, up to 5 units. Interest may also apply to any tax owed.
If your tax is straightforward (single employer, few deductions), self-lodging via myTax is free and simple. If you have investments, rental property, business income, or complex deductions, a tax agent can maximise your return and provide an extended deadline.