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A little preparation makes tax time faster and far less stressful. This tax return checklist runs through everything to gather before you lodge, or before you see your accountant, so nothing holds up your return or your refund.
Whether you lodge yourself through myGov or use a registered tax agent, the same records apply. Pull them together once and the rest of the process is quick and straightforward.
For advice on your situation, speak with a registered tax agent. If you would like a rough estimate of where you might land this year, our free tax calculator is a good place to begin.
Why Getting Organised Before You Lodge Pays Off
For most people, the hold-up at tax time is not the tax itself, it is scattered information. When your income statement, receipts, and account details sit in one place, you lodge once and cleanly, and any refund comes through sooner.
Lodge with a gap in your records and you often have to amend the return later, which slows the result and can mean more back-and-forth with the ATO. A few minutes spent gathering everything now saves that hassle down the track.
Income and Earnings to Gather
Start with your income statement, the record your employer finalises through Single Touch Payroll. It replaces the old payment summary and shows as Tax ready in myGov, usually from mid to late July. Beyond your wages, the ATO expects you to declare income from other sources, so gather anything that applies to you:
- Bank interest, dividends, and managed fund distributions
- Rental income, along with the related expenses
- Sole trader, business, or ABN income
- Gig and platform income, such as rideshare, delivery, or freelance work
- Taxable government payments, and any foreign income
- Capital gains from selling shares, property, or crypto
Deductions and Receipts to Claim
This is where good records pay off directly, since you can only claim what you can back up. Gather receipts and invoices for your work-related expenses, along with your work-from-home records and a logbook or cents-per-kilometre total if you claim car use. Add any self-education costs, union or professional fees, income protection premiums, and donations to registered charities. A bank line shows the money moved, but the ATO generally wants the actual receipt as proof, so keep those wherever you can. Not sure what applies to your job? Our deduction finder covers common claims by category.
Personal and Account Details
Finally, have your personal details on hand so nothing stalls at the last step. That means your tax file number, your bank BSB and account number for any refund, and your private health insurance statement, which affects the Medicare levy surcharge and any rebate you are entitled to. If you have a spouse, you will need their income details too, and last year’s notice of assessment is handy to keep nearby for reference.
Your Tax Return Checklist
Here is the short version to work through. Tick these off and lodging your return, or your accountant appointment, becomes quick and painless:
- Income statement showing Tax ready in myGov
- Bank interest, dividends, and managed fund income
- Any rental, business, or gig income
- Receipts and records for your deductions
- Work-from-home and car or travel records
- Private health insurance statement
- Your tax file number and bank details for a refund
- Last year’s notice of assessment, for reference
A complete tax return checklist means fewer surprises and a faster refund.
Get Ready for Tax Time With Accountants Direct
You do not have to sort all of this on your own. At Accountants Direct, you work directly with registered Australian tax agents, with fixed pricing, no surprise bills, and phone or online appointments, including after hours. Bring your checklist, and we take care of the rest.
Here is how to get started
- Run a quick estimate with our free tax calculator
- Book a call online or call 1300 829 746
- Bring your records and your questions to a time that suits you
- Get a clear plan, often on the same call
Frequently Asked Questions
Work through this tax return checklist: your income statement, any other income such as interest, dividends, or rent, receipts for your deductions, your private health insurance statement, and your bank details for a refund. Having these ready is the quickest way to lodge.
Employers have until 14 July to finalise your income statement through Single Touch Payroll. Wait until it shows as Tax ready in myGov, usually from late July, before you lodge, so your figures do not change afterwards.
A bank line shows the money moved, but the ATO generally wants the actual receipt or invoice as evidence. Keep receipts wherever you can, and store them digitally so they are easy to find at tax time.
Reconstruct what you can from bank and card records, and keep any supporting evidence. Do not guess at amounts. A registered tax agent can advise what is reasonable to claim and how to handle any gaps.
Yes. Your private health statement affects the Medicare levy surcharge and any private health rebate, so it is worth having ready, even though funds now report much of this information to the ATO.
As a general rule, keep your records for 5 years from the date you lodge. It makes any future questions from the ATO, or an amendment to your return, far easier to handle.
