The Australian Tax Office handles your refund, and the fastest way to claim is through their online portal or by lodging a tax return
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) processes tax refunds for people who have overpaid tax during the financial year. If your employer withheld more tax than you owed, or you had deductible expenses that reduce your taxable income, you may be owed money. The ATO does not automatically send refunds — you must lodge a tax return to claim one.
Most people lodge through the ATO's online portal, myTax, which is free and takes 20 to 40 minutes if you have your documents ready. You can also use a registered tax agent or lodge a paper return, though paper returns take longer to process. The ATO typically issues refunds within two weeks of accepting your return if you provide a bank account, or up to four weeks if you request a cheque.
Key Takeaways
- You must lodge a tax return with the ATO to claim a refund — they will not send one automatically even if you have overpaid.
- The myTax online portal is free, fastest, and available from 1 July each year for the previous financial year.
- You need your income statement from your employer (payslip or PAYG payment summary), bank details, and details of any deductible expenses or other income.
- The ATO issues refunds to a nominated bank account within two weeks of accepting your return in most cases.
- If you cannot lodge online, a registered tax agent can lodge on your behalf, though this usually costs a fee.
Lodging through myTax: the fastest route
myTax is the ATO's free online service and the quickest way to claim your refund. You access it through the ATO website using your myGov account. If you do not have a myGov account, you can create one in about five minutes using your email address and a password. The ATO will ask you to link your tax file number (TFN) to your myGov account before you can use myTax.
The myTax portal opens on 1 July each year and allows you to lodge a return for the financial year that ended on 30 June. You will need your income statement from your employer (called a PAYG payment summary if you have finished work there, or a payslip if you are still employed), your bank account details for the refund, and records of any deductible expenses. Once you submit your return, the ATO usually responds within two weeks to confirm it has been accepted. If you provided a bank account, your refund will be deposited within that timeframe in most cases.
If you have a simple tax situation — you worked for one employer, had no other income, and have no deductions to claim — myTax will walk you through the process step by step. If your situation is more complex, you may find it easier to use a tax agent.
What documents you need before you start
Gather these documents before you open myTax or contact a tax agent. Having them ready will speed up the process and reduce errors.
| Document | What it shows | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| PAYG payment summary or payslip | Income withheld and tax paid by your employer | Your employer or your online payroll account |
| Bank account details | Where to deposit your refund | Your bank statement or online banking |
| Receipts for deductible expenses | Work-related costs you can claim back | Your files, emails, or bank statements |
| Dividend statements or investment income records | Any income from shares or investments | Your investment provider or annual statement |
| Medicare levy exemption certificate (if applicable) | Proof you are exempt from the Medicare levy | The ATO or your previous tax return |
If you worked for more than one employer during the financial year, you will need a PAYG payment summary from each one. If you are self-employed or have a business, you will need records of your income and expenses for the full financial year.
Using a tax agent if you cannot lodge online
A registered tax agent can lodge your return on your behalf. This is useful if your tax situation is complex, you do not have internet access, or you prefer to have someone else handle it. Tax agents are regulated by the Tax Practitioners Board and must hold a current registration.
To find a tax agent, search the Tax Practitioners Board register on their website or ask your accountant if they offer tax return lodgement. Most tax agents charge a fee based on the complexity of your return — simple returns might cost $150 to $300, while more complex situations can cost more. Some community organisations and legal aid services offer free tax help to people on low incomes; contact your local community centre or search the ATO website for "free tax help".
When you engage a tax agent, you will need to sign a tax agent authorisation form so they can act on your behalf with the ATO. Once they lodge your return, the ATO will send correspondence to your tax agent rather than to you, so stay in contact with them to know when your refund has been processed.
Tracking your refund status
After you lodge your return, you can check its status through myTax or by calling the ATO. If you lodged through myTax, log back in and look for a message from the ATO confirming receipt. The ATO will also send you an email or SMS (depending on your preferences) when your return has been accepted.
Once your return is accepted, the ATO processes the refund and deposits it to your nominated bank account. This usually takes two weeks, but can take up to four weeks in busy periods or if the ATO needs to verify information. If you requested a cheque instead of a bank transfer, allow an extra week for postal delivery.
If more than four weeks have passed and you have not received your refund, log into myTax and check whether the ATO has sent you a message asking for more information. Sometimes the ATO needs clarification on deductions or income before it can process your refund. If you cannot find a message, contact the ATO directly on 13 28 61 (within Australia) or through the ATO website.
Common reasons your refund might be delayed
The ATO may hold your refund if it needs to verify information on your return. This happens most often when you claim deductions that seem unusually high compared to your income, or when your return shows a significant change from the previous year. The ATO may ask you to provide receipts or other proof of your expenses.
If you have a debt with the ATO — such as unpaid tax from a previous year or a student loan debt — the ATO may offset your refund against that debt. This means you will not receive the full refund amount; instead, part or all of it will be used to pay what you owe. The ATO will notify you if this happens.
If you have provided incorrect bank account details, your refund cannot be deposited and the ATO will send you a cheque instead. This adds several weeks to the process. Check your bank details carefully before you submit your return.
What to do if your refund does not arrive
If your refund has not arrived within four weeks of the ATO accepting your return, first check your myTax account to see whether the ATO has sent you a message. Look for any requests for additional information or notifications about your refund status.
If you see no message and your bank account has not been credited, contact the ATO on 13 28 61. Have your tax file number and the date you lodged your return ready. The ATO can tell you whether your refund has been processed and, if so, when it was sent. If the ATO sent a cheque, it may still be in the mail; ask the ATO for the cheque number and date so you can follow up with Australia Post if needed.
If the ATO confirms your refund was sent but you still have not received it after a reasonable time, you may need to request a replacement cheque or investigate whether the funds were deposited to the wrong account. The ATO can help with this, but you may also need to contact your bank to check whether a deposit was attempted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to lodge a tax return if I only worked for one employer?
You do not have to lodge if your only income was from employment and you had no deductible expenses, but you should lodge if you want to claim a refund. The ATO will not send you money automatically, even if your employer withheld more tax than you owed.
Can I claim deductions for working from home?
Yes, but only for the actual costs of working from home — such as a portion of your internet bill or office equipment — and only if you worked from home for your employer, not if you are self-employed. You need to keep receipts and work out the proportion of your home expenses that relate to work.
What if I do not have a bank account to receive my refund?
You can request that the ATO send a cheque instead. When you lodge your return through myTax, you can choose the payment method. A cheque takes longer to arrive than a bank transfer — usually four to six weeks from the date the ATO accepts your return.
Can I lodge a tax return for a previous year if I did not lodge at the time?
Yes, you can lodge a return for previous years, though the ATO may charge a penalty if you are significantly late. Contact the ATO or a tax agent to discuss your situation; in some cases, the penalty may be waived if you have a reasonable excuse for the delay.
What happens if the ATO finds an error in my return after I lodge it?
The ATO may contact you to discuss the error. If the error means you owe more tax, the ATO will send you a notice of assessment with the amount due. If the error means you are owed more money, the ATO will process an amended refund. You can also contact the ATO yourself if you spot an error before they do.