Tax Return Estimator 2025-26

Estimate how much tax you will get back, or owe, for 2025-26. Enter your income, deductions and personal details for an estimate based on ATO tax rates.

Uses 2025-26 rates for the return being lodged now. Medicare is modelled at a flat 2%, without reductions or exemptions. MLS uses single-person thresholds and gross income. HELP uses taxable income only, without repayment-income adjustments. Sources: ATO, Australian resident tax rates, Oct 2026; ATO, Low income tax offset, Oct 2026; ATO, Medicare levy, Oct 2026; ATO, Study loan repayment rates, Oct 2026; ATO, Medicare levy surcharge thresholds, Oct 2026; ATO, Working from home fixed rate method, Oct 2026.

Gross annual income

Before tax, as on your contract or payslip

$85,000

$20k$300k

Tax withheld by employer

Calculated from your income. Edit it if your payslip differs.

Work from home

ATO fixed rate: $0.70/hr. Assumes 8 hours a day and 52 weeks a year; adjust days to your annual average.

2 days/week ≈ $582/yr

0 days5 days (full WFH)

Work-related deductions

Receipts required for claims. These reduce your taxable income.

Vehicle & travel Work-related km, not commute

Self-education Courses, books, conferences

Uniform & clothing Compulsory, protective, or logo'd

Tools & equipment Under $300: instant deduct. Over: depreciate

Donations (DGR) Gifts to registered charities

Personal circumstances

Private health insurance (hospital cover) Avoids Medicare Levy Surcharge if earning over $93k

HELP / HECS debt Adds compulsory repayment based on income

Estimated refund

ATO should send this back after you lodge your return

Effective tax rate

Calculating...

Income waterfall

Gross income less deductions gives taxable income. Taxable income less income tax, Medicare and HELP gives net take-home pay.

Full tax breakdown

Gross income

Work from home deduction

Vehicle & travel deduction

Self-education deduction

Uniform & clothing deduction

Tools & equipment deduction

Donations deduction

Total deductions

Taxable income

Income tax (ATO 2025-26)

Low income tax offset (LITO)

Medicare levy (2%)

Medicare Levy Surcharge

HELP / HECS repayment

Total tax payable

Tax withheld by employer

Refund (+) / Owe (−)

Deductions breakdown

Add deductions to see breakdown

Ways to maximise your deductions

Track every WFH day The 2025-26 fixed rate is $0.70 an hour. Keep records of all hours worked from home and evidence of the expenses covered by the rate.

Claim your phone & internet Claim only eligible work-related expenses. Phone and internet usage are already covered by the working from home fixed rate.

Claim self-education Courses, textbooks, and professional development directly related to your current job are fully deductible.

Donate to DGR charities Check that the recipient and your gift meet the ATO requirements before claiming a deduction.

Medicare levy surcharge For 2025-26, singles with MLS income above $101,000 may pay a surcharge of 1% to 1.5% without appropriate hospital cover.

Keep receipts all year Keep records that support your deductions, including receipts and how you calculated the work-related share.

Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates only based on 2025-26 ATO tax brackets. It does not constitute tax advice. Your actual refund may differ based on your personal circumstances, offsets, and other deductions. Always lodge through myTax or a registered tax agent.