How to check ATO tax return status

Lodging a tax return is a major requirement in every financial year.

Once you’ve submitted it, it’s natural to be curious about its progress.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides several convenient methods to track the status of your tax return.

What Is Your Tax Return Status?

Before we start discussing the methods, you first need to know what different tax return statuses mean.

Typically, you’ll encounter the following:

Lodged: Your tax return has been successfully submitted to the ATO.
In Process: The ATO is currently processing your return.
Assessment Issued: Your tax return has been assessed, and you’ll receive a notice of assessment.
Refund Issued: A refund has been processed and is on its way to you.
Notice of Amended Assessment Issued: The ATO has made changes to your tax return, and you’ll receive a notice of amended assessment.

The most efficient way to check your tax return status is through the ATO’s online services.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Log in to your myGov account: Ensure you have a myGov account linked to the ATO. If not, create one.
Access ATO services: Once logged in, select the Australian Taxation Office from your linked services.
Manage your tax returns: On the ATO homepage, look for the “Manage tax returns” option.
Select the income year: Choose the income year for which you want to check the status.
View your tax return status: The status of your tax return will be displayed.

The ATO also offers a mobile app for added convenience. Follow these steps:

Download the ATO app: Search for the ATO app on your smartphone’s app store and install it.
Log in: Use your myGov credentials to log in to the app.
Check your tax return status: The app will display the status of your most recent tax return.

There can be instances where your tax return processing might take longer than usual.

Some common reasons include:

Complex tax returns: If your tax situation is intricate, involving investments, deductions, or business income, it might require additional scrutiny.
Errors or omissions: Mistakes in your tax return can lead to delays. The ATO may need to clarify information or request supporting documents.
Tax audits: If the ATO selects your tax return for an audit, the processing time will be extended.

The ATO generally processes tax returns within a few weeks. However, this timeframe can vary depending on the factors mentioned above.

For online lodgments, you can usually expect a processing time of 2 weeks/ 10 business days.

Paper returns might take up to 10 weeks to appear in the system.

If your tax return is taking longer than expected, you can:

Check for ATO updates: The ATO website and app often provide updates on processing times and potential delays.
Review your tax return: Ensure there are no errors or missing information that could cause a delay.
Contact the ATO: If you’re unable to resolve the issue yourself, contact the ATO for assistance.

When your tax return status shows processed, it indicates that the ATO has completed its initial assessment.

You should receive a notice of assessment outlining the outcome of your tax return.

This document will detail any tax payable, refund due, or offset amounts.

If you’re expecting a tax refund but haven’t received it within a reasonable timeframe, follow these steps:

Check your bank account: Ensure the refund hasn’t been deposited into your account.
Review your notice of assessment: Verify that the refund amount is correct.
Contact the ATO: If you still haven’t received your refund, contact the ATO to inquire about the status.

If you’ve lodged an amended tax return, you can check its status using the same methods outlined above.

Look for the income year and check the status.

Be aware that processing an amended return might take longer than a standard return.

If you owe the ATO money, you can check the status of your tax debt through your myGov account.

The ATO will provide details about the amount owed and payment options.