How to check the progress of your tax return

Tax time can be a stressful period, and once you’ve lodged your return, the waiting game begins.

Knowing how to track the progress of your tax return can take away some of this anxiety.

I will walk you through the steps involved in checking your tax return status in Australia.

The Tax Return Process

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) aims to process most electronically lodged tax returns within 2-4 weeks.

However, paper returns may take significantly longer.

Factors such as the complexity of your return, any additional information required, and the ATO’s workload can influence processing times.

How to Check the Progress of Your Tax Return

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

To access this, you’ll need a myGov account linked to the ATO.

  1. Log in to your myGov account.
  2. Select the ATO from your linked services.
  3. On the ATO homepage, look for the “Manage tax returns” option.
  4. Select the income year you want to check. The ATO will display the status of your tax return, including any outstanding actions or notices.

The ATO also offers a mobile app that allows you to check your tax return status on the go. To use this method;

  1. Download the ATO app from your app store.
  2. Log in to your ATO account.
  3. Go to “Your tax return” for the relevant year.
  4. The app will display the current status of your return.

If you’re unable to find the information you need online or through the app, you can contact the ATO directly.

While phone wait times can be long, you may be able to resolve your query more efficiently.

You can find the ATO’s contact details on their website.

What Does the Tax Return Status Mean?

Understanding the different tax return statuses can help you interpret the information provided by the ATO.

Here are some common statuses and their meanings:

  1. Lodged: Your tax return has been successfully submitted to the ATO.
  2. Processing: The ATO is currently reviewing your tax return.
  3. Assessment issued: The ATO has completed the assessment of your tax return and determined your tax liability.
  4. Refund issued: Your tax refund has been processed and is on its way.
  5. Notice issued: The ATO has issued a notice requesting additional information or requiring you to take a specific action.

How Long Does it Take to Process a Tax Return?

Like I said before, most electronically lodged tax returns are processed within 2 weeks. However, this timeframe can vary depending on several factors.

Complex tax returns, such as those with business income or significant deductions, may take longer.

If you’ve lodged a paper return, expect processing times to be significantly longer, often around 10 weeks.

What to Do if Your Tax Return is Delayed

If your tax return is taking longer than expected, there are several steps you can take:

  1. Check for ATO notices: Ensure there are no outstanding notices or requests for information.
  2. Review your return: Double-check for any errors or omissions that might cause delays.
  3. Contact the ATO: If you’ve checked everything and still have concerns, contact the ATO for clarification.

How to Check the Status of Your Tax Refund

Once your tax return has been processed and a refund is due, you can check its status using the same methods outlined above.

The ATO will typically provide an estimated date for when the refund will be issued.

Can I Track My Tax Return Without a myGov Account?

Unfortunately, checking your tax return status without a myGov account is challenging.

The ATO strongly encourages using online services for efficient and secure access to your tax information.

What to Do if You Haven’t Received Your Tax Refund

If you haven’t received your tax refund by the estimated date, first check the status of your refund using the ATO’s online services or app.

If the refund has been issued, contact your bank to inquire about the delay.

If the refund hasn’t been issued, contact the ATO for further assistance.

There’s no guaranteed way to speed up your tax refund, but ensuring that your tax return is accurate and complete can help.

You must avoid errors and omissions, and provide all necessary documentation to minimize processing time.

Scroll to Top