MyTax Step-by-Step Guide 2025: Lodge Your Tax Return Online
Complete guide to lodging your Australian tax return using the ATO's free MyTax service. From setting up MyGov to claiming deductions and receiving your refund.
IntuitiveCalc Team
Financial Content Specialist
Key Dates for 2024-25 Tax Year
- 1 July 2025: MyTax opens for 2024-25 returns
- 31 October 2025: Deadline for self-lodgement
- Mid-August: Most employer income statements available
- Refund time: 2-14 days if lodged online
What is MyTax?
MyTax is the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) free online service for lodging your individual tax return. It's available through your myGov account and pre-fills most of your income information automatically, making tax time much easier.
Advantages of MyTax
- Free to use (no tax agent fees)
- Pre-filled income from employers
- Bank interest automatically included
- Private health insurance details pre-filled
- Faster refunds (2-14 days)
- Secure and official ATO service
When to Consider a Tax Agent
- Complex investments (CGT calculations)
- Rental property income
- Business or sole trader income
- First time lodging in Australia
- Large deductions needing support
- Unsure about your tax obligations
Before You Start: What You'll Need
Gather these documents and information before logging into MyTax to make the process smooth:
Essential Documents
Income Documents
- ✓ Income statement(s) from employer(s)
- ✓ Bank interest statements
- ✓ Dividend statements
- ✓ Government payments (Centrelink)
- ✓ Rental income records
Deduction Records
- $ Work-related expense receipts
- $ Car logbook or km records
- $ Working from home diary
- $ Uniform/laundry receipts
- $ Self-education expenses
Other Information Needed
- Tax File Number (TFN): Your 9-digit TFN
- Bank account details: BSB and account number for your refund
- Private health insurance: Statement from your fund
- Spouse details: If married or in a relationship, their income
- Medicare levy exemption: If applicable (visitors, foreign residents)
Step 1: Set Up Your myGov Account
If you don't already have a myGov account, you'll need to create one. myGov is the Australian Government's secure online portal that links to various government services including the ATO.
Creating a myGov Account
- 1 Go to my.gov.au
Visit the official myGov website
- 2 Click "Create an account"
Enter your email address and create a password
- 3 Verify your email
Check your inbox and click the verification link
- 4 Set up security questions
Choose questions and answers for account recovery
- 5 Set up myGov Code Generator (recommended)
Download the myGov Code Generator app for secure login
Step 2: Link Your myGov to ATO
Once you have a myGov account, you need to link it to the ATO. This is a one-time process that gives you access to MyTax and other ATO online services.
Linking to ATO
- 1 Log into myGov
Use your email and password or myGov Code Generator
- 2 Click "Link services"
Find this in the Services menu
- 3 Select "Australian Taxation Office"
Choose ATO from the list of available services
- 4 Verify your identity
You'll need 2 of the following:
- • Notice of assessment from a previous year
- • Bank account details linked to ATO
- • Super account details
- • Centrelink payment summary
- • PAYG payment summary
First Time Linking?
If you're new to Australia or haven't lodged before, you may need to call the ATO on 13 28 61 to get a linking code. Have your TFN and identity documents ready.
Step 3: Access MyTax and Start Your Return
Now you can access MyTax and begin your tax return. The ATO pre-fills most of your information, but you should check everything carefully.
Starting Your Tax Return
- 1 Click on "ATO" in myGov
This opens ATO Online Services
- 2 Select "Tax" then "Lodgements" then "Income tax"
Navigate to the tax return section
- 3 Click "Lodge tax return"
Select the financial year (e.g., 2024-25)
- 4 Wait for pre-fill to load
This can take a few moments. Pre-fill includes employer income, bank interest, dividends, and health insurance
Wait for Your Income Statement
Your employer must finalise your income statement by 14 July each year. If you lodge before this, your pre-fill may be incomplete. Check that your income statement shows "Tax ready" before lodging.
Step 4: Review Your Pre-Filled Income
MyTax pre-fills income from various sources. Review each section carefully and add any missing information.
Types of Pre-Filled Income
| Income Type | Source | Check For |
|---|---|---|
| Salary & wages | Employer income statements | All jobs listed, amounts match payslips |
| Bank interest | Banks & financial institutions | All accounts included |
| Dividends | Share registries | Franking credits included |
| Government payments | Centrelink | All payments and tax withheld |
| Private health | Health insurers | Days covered, rebate tier |
Important: Check All Pre-Fill Data
Don't assume pre-fill is complete or correct. You are responsible for the accuracy of your tax return. Common issues include:
- • Missing casual or part-time jobs
- • Incomplete bank interest (some accounts not reported)
- • Crypto/share income not pre-filled (you must add manually)
- • Rental income not pre-filled (you must add manually)
Step 5: Claim Your Deductions
Deductions reduce your taxable income, which means you pay less tax or get a bigger refund. Only claim deductions you're entitled to and can support with records.
Common Work-Related Deductions
Car and Travel
- Cents per km: Up to 5,000 km at 88c/km (2024-25)
- Logbook: If over 5,000 km, need 12-week logbook
- Travel between jobs: Can claim full cost
- Home to work: Generally NOT deductible
Working From Home
- Fixed rate: 67c per hour (2024-25)
- Actual cost: Calculate real expenses
- Records needed: Diary of hours worked
- Includes: Electricity, internet, phone
Clothing and Laundry
- Compulsory uniform: Full cost deductible
- Protective clothing: Safety gear, boots
- Laundry: $1 per load (up to $150 no receipts)
- Everyday clothes: NOT deductible
Tools and Equipment
- Under $300: Immediate deduction
- Over $300: Depreciate over useful life
- Phone/laptop: Work-use percentage only
- Keep receipts: For 5 years
Other Deductions
- Self-education: Courses directly related to your current job
- Union fees: Professional association memberships
- Tax agent fees: Previous year's tax agent costs
- Income protection insurance: Premiums you pay (not via super)
- Donations: To registered charities ($2+ with receipt)
$300 No-Receipt Threshold
If your total work-related deductions are $300 or less, you don't need receipts. However, you must still have actually spent the money on work-related items. The ATO can ask you to show how you calculated your claim.
Step 6: Check for Tax Offsets
Tax offsets (also called rebates) directly reduce the tax you pay. MyTax will automatically apply some offsets based on your income and circumstances.
| Offset | Who Qualifies | Maximum Value |
|---|---|---|
| Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) | Taxable income under $66,667 | Up to $700 |
| Low and Middle Income Tax Offset | Ended 30 June 2022 | No longer available |
| Private Health Insurance Rebate | PHI holders below income threshold | 8.202% - 32.812% of premium |
| Seniors and Pensioners Tax Offset | Age pension recipients | Up to $2,230 |
Step 7: Medicare Levy and Surcharge
Most Australian residents pay the Medicare levy of 2% of their taxable income. You may also need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you earn above certain thresholds and don't have private hospital cover.
Medicare Levy Exemptions
- Low income: Full exemption if income below $26,000 (single)
- Foreign residents: Not entitled to Medicare benefits
- Certain visa holders: With no Medicare access
Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)
If your income is over $93,000 (single) or $186,000 (family) and you don't have private hospital cover, you'll pay an extra 1% - 1.5% surcharge. Getting basic hospital cover is often cheaper than paying MLS.
Step 8: Review and Lodge
Before lodging, MyTax shows a summary of your tax return including your estimated refund or tax payable.
Final Checklist Before Lodging
- All income sources included and correct
- Deductions are accurate and I have records
- Bank account details for refund are correct
- Spouse details (if applicable) are correct
- Private health insurance details checked
- Estimated refund/payable looks reasonable
Click "Lodge" to submit your tax return. You'll receive a confirmation and your Notice of Assessment will be available in myGov within 2 weeks (usually faster if lodging electronically).
When Will I Get My Refund?
Typical Refund Timeframes
Reasons for Delays
- Large or unusual deduction claims
- First-time lodger
- Outstanding tax debts
- Lodging early before income statements are finalised
- Random ATO review or audit
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Do This
- Claim home-to-work travel
- Overclaim deductions without records
- Forget to declare cash income
- Miss cryptocurrency profits
- Lodge before income statements ready
- Use wrong bank account details
Do This Instead
- Only claim legitimate work travel
- Keep receipts for 5 years
- Declare all income sources
- Use our crypto tax calculator
- Wait for "Tax ready" status
- Double-check bank details
Need Help?
If you're unsure about anything, the ATO offers free help:
- ATO website: ato.gov.au
- ATO phone: 13 28 61 (individuals)
- Tax Help program: Free for low-income earners (July-October)
- Tax agent: Consider for complex situations
Related Calculators & Guides
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and should not be considered as tax advice. Tax laws change regularly. For advice specific to your situation, consult a registered tax agent or contact the ATO directly. Information is current as of January 2025.