How to lodge your tax return on MyGov

Follow these steps to file your return through the ATO via MyGov. Pre-filled data handles the easy part — this guide helps you with everything else.

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1. Log in to MyGov

  • Go to my.gov.au and log in with your username and password
  • Use the myGovID app if you have it set up (recommended — faster)
  • Link your ATO account if you haven't already (one-time setup)
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2. Start your tax return

  • Click "Tax" then "Lodge your tax return"
  • The ATO will have your income data pre-filled from employers, banks, and health funds
  • Check each pre-filled item is correct — edit if needed
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3. Enter your income

  • Salary/wages: pre-filled from your employer's PAYG summary — verify the amounts
  • Bank interest: pre-filled from your bank — check each account
  • Dividends: pre-filled from share registries — add any not listed
  • Other income: add manually if you had side work, government payments, etc.
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4. Claim your deductions

  • Use the checklist from TaxMate's Deduction Finder to know what to claim
  • Work-related expenses: enter under "Deductions" → "Work-related expenses"
  • WFH expenses: use the fixed-rate method ($0.67/hr) or actual cost method
  • Enter total amounts for each category — no need to upload receipts unless audited
  • Laundry: $1 per load if only work clothes, $0.50 if mixed
  • Self-education: enter total course fees, minus any employer reimbursement
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5. Review offsets and adjustments

  • Private health insurance: pre-filled — verify your cover level
  • HELP/HECS repayment: calculated automatically based on your income
  • Low-income tax offset: applied automatically if eligible
  • Medicare levy: standard 2% — check if you qualify for an exemption
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6. Review and lodge

  • Review every figure on the summary page
  • Double-check your bank account details for the refund
  • Click 'Lodge' — you'll get a confirmation with your lodgment reference number
  • Save the confirmation page as a PDF for your records

Before you lodge

  • Have your bank account details ready for the refund
  • Have your receipts and records accessible (you don't upload them, but you need them if audited)
  • Check your private health insurance details are correct
  • If you're unsure about anything, the ATO help line is 13 28 61
Read audit guideBack to deduction finder