Tax Return Estimator
Estimate your tax refund or tax payable for 2025-26. Includes common deductions like work-from-home and vehicle expenses.
Estimate your tax refund or amount owing for the 2025-26 financial year. Enter your total income to see how much tax you owe versus what has been withheld.
- Most employees have tax withheld from each paycheck via PAYG
- Common deductions: work-from-home ($0.67/hr), car expenses, uniforms, tools
- Lodge by 31 October if self-lodging, or later if using a tax agent
- The ATO pre-fills much of your return via myTax
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline for lodging my tax return?
What deductions can I claim on my tax return?
What is Tax Return Estimator?
A tax return estimator helps you predict whether you'll receive a tax refund or owe money to the ATO when you lodge your annual tax return. It compares tax already withheld from your pay (PAYG) against your actual tax liability.
How this calculator works
Enter your total annual income and the calculator computes your tax liability using 2025-26 ATO brackets, Medicare levy, and LITO. The difference between this and the tax already withheld from your wages throughout the year determines your refund or amount owing. Common deductions that reduce your taxable income include work-from-home expenses ($0.70/hour fixed rate method 2025-26), vehicle and travel expenses (88c/km), uniforms and protective clothing, tools and equipment, and self-education. The ATO pre-fills most income data in myTax — the deadline for self-lodgers is 31 October.
How a Tax Refund Happens
Your employer withholds tax from each pay assuming you'll have no deductions and earn at a steady rate. Real-life: you have deductions, your salary may have changed, you got a bonus. The annual tax return reconciles withholding against actual liability. Most Australians get refunds because PAYG over-withholds slightly. Average AU refund 2024 was ~$2,600.
Top Deductions Often Missed
(1) Working from home — $0.70/hr fixed rate or actual cost (electricity, internet, depreciation). (2) Car expenses for work travel (cents/km up to 5,000 km, or logbook). (3) Self-education directly related to current role. (4) Tax agent fee from previous year. (5) Income protection insurance premiums (NOT life insurance). (6) Investment loan interest. (7) Donations $2+ to DGR charities. (8) Tools, equipment, work-required clothing.
Deductions That Aren't Allowed
(1) Commute (home to regular workplace). (2) Clothing that's just 'work-appropriate' — must be uniform with logo or protective. (3) Private health insurance (gets you tax offset via PHI rebate, not a deduction). (4) Childcare. (5) HELP repayments. (6) Self-education for FUTURE jobs (only current role). (7) Anything personal-use.
Lodgement Deadlines and Penalties
Self-lodgers: 31 October. Via registered tax agent: typically 15 May of the following year IF you signed up before 31 October. Late lodgement penalty: $313 per 28-day block, max 5 blocks ($1,565). The penalty applies even if you're due a refund — but ATO often waives it for first-time late lodgers with reasonable excuse.
When You'll Owe vs Get Refund
REFUND likely if: you have legitimate work-related deductions, claimed tax-free threshold on only one job, contributed to super after-tax, or earnings are lower than withholding assumes. OWING likely if: multiple jobs without claiming threshold on second, side gig income (Uber, ABN), bank interest or dividends not pre-paid, sold an asset for capital gain, RESC contributions trigger HECS adjustments.
myTax vs Tax Agent
myTax (free, via myGov): great for PAYG salary + standard deductions. Pre-fills most data. 8-15 minutes for straightforward returns. TAX AGENT ($150-$500): worth it if you have rental property, business income, share trades, multiple income types, capital gains, or complex deductions. Fee is tax-deductible next year. Choose registered agents only — check tpb.gov.au register.
Updated for the 2025-26 financial year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026).
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.