Tax Return Checklist Australia — What You Need to Lodge

Updated

Before lodging your Australian tax return, gather these documents and records. The more complete your information before you start, the smoother and faster the process. For most employees, myTax pre-fills much of this — but always verify pre-filled data against your own records.

Personal and Account Details

  • Tax File Number (TFN)
  • myGov login credentials (linked to the ATO)
  • Bank account details for refund (BSB and account number)
  • Date of birth and contact details

Income — Employment

  • Income statements from all employers (accessed via myGov once marked “Tax ready” — usually after 14 August)
  • If you had multiple employers, confirm income statements are present from each
  • If you have salary sacrifice arrangements, the reportable employer super contributions amount should appear on your income statement
  • If you received reportable fringe benefits, check the value on your income statement

Income — Government Payments

  • Payment summaries from Centrelink (JobSeeker, Age Pension, Youth Allowance, Austudy, parental leave, etc.) — pre-filled from Services Australia
  • Workers’ compensation payments if applicable

Income — Investments

  • Bank interest statements from all accounts (savings accounts, term deposits, offset accounts with interest credited) — pre-filled but verify
  • Dividend statements from ASX shares and managed funds (the dividend statement shows the cash dividend, franking credit, and tax withheld if any)
  • Managed fund annual tax statements — shows income, capital gains, and foreign income components
  • ETF annual tax statements from your broker or the ETF provider

Capital Gains

  • Purchase contract or confirmation showing the date and cost of any assets sold during the year (shares, property, crypto)
  • Sale contract or trade confirmation showing the date and sale price
  • Cost base records — purchase price plus costs of acquisition (brokerage, legal fees, stamp duty) and capital improvements
  • Records of any capital losses from prior years that can be applied

Rental Property

  • Rental income — total rent received during the year (rental statements or bank records)
  • Interest on investment loan — annual interest statement from lender
  • Council rates, water charges — annual notices
  • Property management fees — annual statement from the managing agent
  • Insurance premiums — policy renewal notices
  • Repairs and maintenance receipts — invoices for any work done during the year
  • Depreciation schedule — from your quantity surveyor (if you have one)
  • Land tax notices if applicable in your state
  • Records if the property was your main residence for part of the year (for partial CGT exemption calculation)
  • Work-from-home hours diary — if using the 67c/hour fixed rate method
  • Vehicle logbook — if claiming car expenses using the logbook method
  • Odometer readings at start and end of year
  • Receipts for tools and equipment purchased for work
  • Uniform or protective clothing receipts
  • Phone and internet bills — plus a 4-week usage sample to calculate work percentage
  • Self-education receipts — course fees, textbooks, registration
  • Union fees and professional association membership receipts
  • Income protection insurance premium statement (held outside super)

Other Deductions

  • Charitable donation receipts — must be to a DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient), $2 or more
  • Previous year’s tax agent fee receipt (deductible in the year paid, so last year’s fee applies this year)

HECS-HELP

  • Your HECS/HELP balance — confirm via myGov/ATO online services
  • Notification to employer — confirm they are withholding the correct HECS repayment amount

Private Health Insurance

  • Private health insurance membership details — fund name, membership number, dates of cover
  • Annual tax statement from your insurer — shows premiums paid and any rebate already received

Foreign Income

  • Records of overseas income in the original currency and the AUD equivalent (using the exchange rate on the date of receipt)
  • Foreign tax paid (for the foreign income tax offset) — bank statements or tax certificates from the overseas authority
  • Evidence of residency periods if you lived overseas for part of the year

Quick Pre-Lodgement Checklist

Before clicking submit, confirm:

  • All employer income statements are marked “Tax ready”
  • All investment income is included (interest, dividends, rental, capital gains)
  • All deductions are supported by records you can produce if asked
  • Bank details for refund are correct
  • Private health insurance details are entered
  • HECS debt status is confirmed

This article provides general tax information. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a registered tax agent. Find one through the Tax Practitioners Board register.