Do I Need to Do a Tax Return?

Tax time doesn't have to be scary

💰

Yes — and you probably get money back

Most teens overpay tax throughout the year and get a refund at tax time. It's free money you've already earned.

Do I Actually Have to Lodge One?

You must lodge a tax return if:

• You earned more than $18,200 in the financial year (1 July – 30 June)

• Your employer withheld tax from your pay (check your payslip — if there's a "PAYG" deduction, tax was withheld)

• The ATO sends you a notice to lodge

You don't have to lodge if:

• You earned less than $18,200 AND had no tax withheld

But you might want to lodge even if you don't have to — because you'll get a refund if tax was withheld.

Key Dates 📅

Financial year ends30 June
Tax return opens1 July
Deadline (self-lodging)31 October
When you get your refund~2 weeks after lodging

How to Lodge — Step by Step 🖥️

1

Create a myGov account
Go to my.gov.au — you'll need your TFN and email.
2

Link the ATO to myGov
In myGov, select ATO as a linked service. It'll ask for details from a recent tax return or your TFN.
3

Wait until late July
Employers have until 31 July to report your earnings to the ATO. Starting after this means most info is pre-filled.
4

Open the ATO tax return
Go to myGov → ATO → Tax → Lodge a tax return. Most of it is pre-filled from your employer.
5

Check, confirm, submit
Review the pre-filled info. Add any deductions you're claiming. Submit. Done.

💡 Work-related deductions: If you bought something for work — a uniform, safety gear, tools, or even part of your phone plan — you may be able to claim it as a deduction. Keep receipts throughout the year. Even small deductions add up to a bigger refund.

⚠️ Don't pay anyone to do a simple tax return. Tax agents charge $50–$200+ for something most teens can do themselves for free on myGov in about 20 minutes. The ATO's free phone line (13 28 61) can walk you through it.

What If I Didn't Give My TFN? 😬

If you didn't give your employer your TFN, they would have withheld tax at the top rate (47%). You must lodge a return to get most of this back.

The good news: you can still claim a refund for all the extra tax withheld. Give your TFN to your employer now for future pays.

⚠️ This is general information only based on 2025-26 Australian tax rules. Tax laws change regularly. Always verify current thresholds and requirements at ato.gov.au. For complex situations, consult a registered tax agent.