Free calculator — 2025–26 & 2026–27
Tax Return Calculator
Estimate your tax refund or bill before you lodge. Enter your income, PAYG withheld, work-from-home hours, and deductions to see where you stand.
From your income statement
Deductions
Estimated refund
$1,012
ATO owes you money — usually paid within 2 weeks of lodging
Estimates only. Assumes PAYG income only — does not include private health rebate, offset for spouse, or business deductions. Not tax advice. Lodge with a registered tax agent or myTax for accurate figures.
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See my full plan →How your Australian tax return works
Each financial year (1 July – 30 June), the ATO reconciles how much tax you should have paid against how much your employer actually withheld. If your employer withheld too much — which is common when you've had leave without pay, changed jobs, or earned less than expected — you receive a refund. If too little was withheld, you pay the difference.
The key lever most Australians miss is deductions. Every dollar of legitimate deduction reduces your taxable income, which reduces your tax. At a 32.5% effective marginal rate, $1,000 in deductions saves $325 in tax. The WFH fixed rate (67c/hour) alone can add up to $1,000+ in deductions for a full-time remote worker.
Franking credits are a uniquely Australian advantage. If you own Australian shares and receive fully franked dividends, the 30% corporate tax already paid flows through to you as an offset. For investors in lower tax brackets, this creates genuine cash refunds from the ATO — even if you owe no income tax at all.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my PAYG withheld amount?
Your PAYG withheld amount is on your income statement (formerly called a payment summary). Your employer lodges this with the ATO, and it appears pre-filled in myTax from late July. You can also find it in your final payslip of the financial year, or ask your payroll team.
What is the ATO work-from-home deduction rate?
From 2022–23, the ATO fixed rate method is 67 cents per hour worked from home. This covers electricity, internet, phone, and stationery. You must keep a record of your hours — a diary, timesheet, or roster. You can still claim separately for items not covered by the rate, such as a new desk or chair (depreciated over its effective life).
What are franking credits and how do they affect my refund?
Australian companies pay 30% corporate tax before distributing dividends. The tax already paid is passed to shareholders as franking (imputation) credits. You declare both the cash dividend and the credit as income, then offset the credit against your tax bill. If your credits exceed your tax (common for low-income investors), the ATO refunds the difference in cash. This is what makes Australian dividend investing so tax-effective at lower incomes.
When is the tax return deadline in Australia?
The standard lodgement deadline is 31 October. If you use a registered tax agent, the deadline extends to 15 May the following year (and sometimes later). The ATO opens myTax from 1 July, but waiting until late July means most employer data, bank interest, and dividend information will be pre-filled, reducing errors.
What deductions can I claim as an employee?
You can claim work-related expenses you paid yourself and weren't reimbursed for: union fees, professional subscriptions, work uniforms with a logo, tools and equipment, work-related courses and training, and the work-from-home fixed rate. You generally can't claim items you were reimbursed for, or expenses that are private in nature. The ATO's myDeductions app lets you track expenses during the year.
Does HECS come out of my tax refund?
Yes — if you haven't been paying enough HECS through the year (e.g., you started a new job mid-year, or had extra income), the ATO will deduct the outstanding HECS from your refund, or add it to your bill. HECS repayments are calculated on your total taxable income, not just your salary.