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Tax Return Calculator Australia

Estimate your ATO tax refund or tax bill for 2025–26. Enter your income, tax already withheld and work-related deductions to find out if you're owed money back — or need to pay more.

2025–26 ATO RatesIncludes deductionsLITO & MedicareInstant estimate
💸 Tax Return Estimator 2025–26
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$
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Estimated Refund
$0
Taxable income
$0
Income tax owed
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Medicare levy
$0
LITO offset
$0
Tax withheld
$0
HECS repayment
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2025–26 Tax Brackets at a Glance

Taxable IncomeTax RateTax on This Band
$0 – $18,2000%Nil
$18,201 – $45,00016%Up to $4,288
$45,001 – $135,00030%Up to $27,000
$135,001 – $190,00037%Up to $20,350
$190,001+45%—

Plus 2% Medicare levy. LITO reduces tax by up to $700 for incomes below $66,667.

How the Australian Tax Return Works

At the end of each financial year (30 June), you lodge a tax return with the ATO. The ATO calculates your actual tax liability based on your total taxable income and any deductions you claim. Your taxable income is compared to the tax already withheld from your pay throughout the year. If more was withheld than you owe — you get a refund. If less was withheld — you pay the difference.

What Deductions Can I Claim?

You can claim deductions for expenses incurred in earning your income. Common deductions include: work-related travel (not home-to-work), tools and equipment, work uniform and laundry, home office expenses, self-education related to your current job, union fees, and income protection insurance premiums. You generally need receipts for any claim over $300. The ATO also allows a standard $300 deduction without receipts.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I lodge my 2025–26 tax return?▾
You can lodge from 1 July 2026. Most people lodge online via myTax in their myGov account. The deadline for self-lodging is 31 October 2026. If you use a registered tax agent, you may have until May 2027 — but you must be on the agent's books before 31 October.
How long does an ATO tax refund take?▾
Most refunds lodged online via myTax are processed within 2 weeks. Returns that trigger a manual review can take 4–8 weeks or longer. Lodging early in July typically results in faster processing. Paper returns can take up to 10 weeks.
What is the tax-free threshold in Australia?▾
The tax-free threshold is $18,200 for 2025–26. If you earn less than this and claimed the threshold from your employer, you should get all your withheld tax back as a refund. You can only claim the tax-free threshold from one employer at a time.
Do I have to lodge a tax return if I earned under $18,200?▾
You don't have to lodge if your income was under $18,200, you had no tax withheld, and the ATO hasn't asked you to lodge. But if tax was withheld from your pay (which it usually is), you should lodge — you'll get a full refund. The ATO also sends notices to some individuals who need to lodge.
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?▾
If you earn over $93,000 (singles) or $186,000 (families) and don't have private hospital cover, you pay an extra 1–1.5% Medicare Levy Surcharge on top of the standard 2% Medicare levy. Getting hospital cover avoids this surcharge and often costs less than the surcharge itself at higher income levels.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate only using 2025–26 ATO rates. It does not account for all offsets, levies, or your specific circumstances. Always lodge via myGov or use a registered tax agent for your actual tax return.

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