Australia Tax Return Complete Guide (2025)

"I heard you can get money back with tax return. How?"

Tax Return is an opportunity to get $1,000-3,000 refund annually!

Australia withholds a lot of tax from your salary in advance. After one year, they calculate the actual tax you should pay, and return the excess - this is tax return.

This guide was created by analyzing tax return experiences from over 5,000 working holidaymakers. Complete coverage from myGov application to refund maximization.

💡 Don't have TFN yet? To receive tax return, you must first apply for TFN!

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1. Tax Return Basic Concepts

1.1. What is Tax Return?

Tax Return = Tax Settlement

The process of declaring previous year's income and settling taxes between July 1 and October 31 annually.

Example:

• Income from July 1, 2024 ~ June 30, 2025
• Apply for Tax Return in July-October 2025

1.2. Why Get Money Back?

Reason #1: Working Holidaymaker Tax Rates are Special

• First $45,000: 15%
• $45,001-$120,000: 30%
• $120,001-$180,000: 37%

Reason #2: Employers Withhold at Higher Rates

• Employer: Safely withholds 20-25%
• Actual rate: 15-18%
• → Difference refunded

Reason #3: Deduction Items

• Work-related expenses (uniform, tools, etc.)
• Deducted from tax → Refund increases

1.3. How Much Can I Get Back?

Average Refund Amounts:

• Annual income $20,000: $500-1,000
• Annual income $30,000: $1,000-1,500
• Annual income $40,000: $1,500-2,500
• Annual income $50,000+: $2,000-3,500

⚠️ Note: You may need to pay additional tax (if tax withheld was insufficient)

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2. Tax Return Application Timing

2.1. Application Period

Official Period:

• July 1 ~ October 31

Recommended Time:

• Early July-August: Fast refund (within 2 weeks)
• September-October: Busy (4-6 weeks)

2.2. If Apply Late?

After October 31:

• Possible fine (minor penalty)
• However, can be waived if personal circumstances explained

💡 Tip: Make sure to apply by end of October!

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3. Tax Return Application Methods

Method #1: myGov (Free, DIY)

Advantages:

• Completely free
• ATO automatically enters income information

Disadvantages:

• English required
• Difficult for complex cases

Recommended For:

• 1-2 employers
• Simple deduction items
• Intermediate+ English

Method #2: Tax Agent ($80-150)

Advantages:

• Professional help
• Refund maximization
• No error worries

Disadvantages:

• Cost ($80-150)

Recommended For:

• 3+ employers
• Many deduction items
• Beginner English

Korean Tax Agents:

• Many in Sydney/Melbourne
• Google: "Korean tax agent Sydney"
• Cost: $80-120

Method #3: Tax Return Apps ($30-50)

Example Apps:

• Etax ($35)
• myTax ($40)

Advantages:

• Easy to follow guide
• Cheaper than tax agent

Disadvantages:

• Paid service

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4. Applying Directly via myGov (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Create myGov Account

Website: my.gov.au

1. Click "Create Account"
2. Set email and password
3. Set verification questions

Step 2: Link ATO

1. Log in to myGov
2. Click "Link a service"
3. Select "Australian Taxation Office (ATO)"
4. Enter TFN (If you don't have TFN, apply first)
5. Verification questions (previous address, bank, etc.)

Step 3: Start Tax Return

1. myGov → Click ATO
2. "Tax" tab
3. Click "Lodge your tax return"
4. Select year (e.g., 2024-2025)

Step 4: Enter Information (Automatically filled!)

ATO Automatically Fills:

• ✅ Income: Information reported by employer to ATO
• ✅ PAYG Withholding: Withheld tax
• ✅ Bank Interest

Manually Enter:

• Deductions (deduction items)
• Foreign income (usually none)

Step 5: Enter Deductions

Main Deduction Items:

1. Work-related expenses

• Uniform: $50-200
• Safety boots: $80-150
• Tools: $100-500
• Laundry: Up to $150 without receipt

2. Car and travel

• Home→workplace commute: ❌ Not allowed
• Workplace A → Workplace B travel: ✅ Allowed
• Keep Uber, train receipts

3. Self-education

• Barista course, RSA, White Card: ✅ Allowed
• Only if related to current job

4. Phone and internet

• Work-use proportion only
• Example: 50% work → 50% of phone bill

5. Home office

• Most working holidaymakers not applicable

Step 6: Review and Submit

1. Click "Review your return"
2. Check all information
3. Click "Submit"

Step 7: Receive Refund

Set Refund Account:

• Enter BSB + Account Number
• Must be your own account

Refund Processing Time:

• July-August: Within 2 weeks
• September-October: 4-6 weeks

Check Status:

• myGov → ATO → "Tax return status"

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5. Complete Deduction Guide

5.1. Deductible vs Non-Deductible

✅ Deductible:

Item	Example	Amount
Uniform	Company logo clothing	$50-200
Safety boots	Steel-toe boots	$80-150
Tools	Barista tamper, construction tools	$100-500
Laundry	Uniform cleaning	$150 (no receipt needed)
Certificates	RSA, White Card, barista course	$50-300
Phone/Internet	Mobile/Internet (work %)	$200-500
Transport	Between workplaces (Uber, train)	$100-300

❌ Not Deductible:

Item	Reason
Commute transport	Personal expense
Regular clothes	Not uniform
Meals	Personal expense
Rent	Living expense
Travel	Personal expense

5.2. Receipt Storage Tips

Storage Period: 5 years

Storage Methods:

• Take photos and save to Google Drive/iCloud
• Or use ATO app (free receipt management)

When Receipt Not Needed:

• Items under $300 (but must be provable)
• Laundry up to $150

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6. Working Holidaymaker Special Cases

6.1. Multiple Employers

3+ Employers:

• ATO automatically combines all income
• Check: myGov → ATO → "Income"

⚠️ Note:

• Verify all employers reported to ATO
• Contact employer if not showing

6.2. Left Australia

Can Apply After Returning to Korea:

• myGov accessible from overseas
• Or contact Korean tax agent via email

6.3. Second Visa Re-entry

Use Same TFN:

• Apply for new Tax Return
• Separate from previous year

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7. Refund Maximization Strategies

Strategy #1: Keep All Receipts

Keep Throughout Year:

• Uniform, shoes, tools receipts
• RSA, White Card certificates
• Transport (Uber, Opal statements)

End of Year Organization:

• Scan all receipts before June 30

Strategy #2: Maximize Legal Deductions

Laundry:

• $150 deduction if have uniform (no receipt needed)

Phone/Internet:

• Can claim 50% work use
• Monthly $50 × 12 months × 50% = $300 deduction

Certificates:

• RSA ($50), White Card ($150), Barista course ($250)
• Total $450 deduction

Strategy #3: Use Tax Agent

Complex Cases:

• 3+ employers
• Many deduction items (uniform, tools, transport, etc.)
• → Tax agent $120 vs $500 refund increase = $380 benefit

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8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I worked without TFN. Can I get tax return?

A. No. Without TFN, income is not recorded so refund impossible. Apply for TFN now and use it going forward.

Q2. I was paid in cash. Should I report it?

A. Legally yes, but without proof, no refund either.

Q3. Can I apply after returning to Korea?

A. Yes! myGov is accessible from overseas.

Q4. What if I exaggerate deductions?

A. You may become subject to ATO audit. Only deduct within legal limits.

Q5. Refund is less than expected. Why?

A. Either tax withholding was low, or deduction items were few.

Q6. What if I don't do tax return?

A. Possible fine. Also, you're giving up money you should get back.

Q7. Can I deduct tax agent fees?

A. Yes! Deductible in next year's Tax Return.

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9. Tax Return Checklist

Before Application

• Verify TFN
• Create myGov account + Link ATO
• Check all Payslips
• Scan receipts (uniform, tools, certificates, etc.)
• Bank account information (BSB + Account)

During Application

• Verify automatic income entry
• Enter Deductions
• Review all information
• Submit

After Application

• Check refund status (myGov)
• Wait 2-6 weeks
• Verify bank account deposit

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10. Tax Return Timeline Example

Example: 2024-2025 Financial Year

Date	Task
July 2024 ~ June 2025	Work in Australia, keep receipts
June 30, 2025	Financial year ends
July 1-14, 2025	Check Payslips, organize receipts
July 15-31, 2025	Apply myGov Tax Return
Early August 2025	Verify refund deposit

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Conclusion

Tax return is an opportunity to legally get $1,000-3,000 back. Don't miss it!

Key Summary:

1. ✅ Application period: July 1 ~ October 31
2. ✅ Methods: myGov (free) or Tax agent ($80-150)
3. ✅ Deduction items: Uniform, tools, certificates, laundry, phone/internet
4. ✅ Receipt storage: 5 years
5. ✅ Refund: Average $1,000-3,000

Next Steps:

1. Create myGov account (my.gov.au)
2. Link ATO
3. Apply Tax Return after July 1
4. Keep receipts (throughout year)

Related Guides:

• Australian TFN Application Guide - Essential for tax return
• Australian Working Holiday First Week Guide - From TFN to bank
• Australian Superannuation Refund Guide - Get retirement pension back too

Best of luck with your tax return refund! 💰🇦🇺✨

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About the Author The WHRESUME team is in their 3rd year living in Melbourne and genuinely supports Australian working holiday makers. This guide is based on feedback from the working holiday community and analysis of official Australian sources.

💬 Feedback Welcome: If you find outdated or inaccurate information, please let us know via Contact Us!

📌 Latest Information:

• Australian Taxation Office - Official tax refund information
• myGov - Online tax return application