How to use the tax refund calculator
- 1 Enter your gross income from all jobs for the year.
- 2 Enter the tax withheld shown in your income statements.
- 3 Enter your deductions, such as work expenses and donations.
- 4 Choose any HELP debt and Medicare levy surcharge rate, then read your refund.
Worked example
An employee earns $85,000, had $18,500 withheld and claims $2,000 of deductions. Taxable income is $83,000, income tax is $15,420 and the Medicare levy is $1,660, a total of $17,080. Since $18,500 was withheld, the estimated refund is about $1,420.
Getting your refund right
- Lodge from 1 July: the return is due by 31 October if you lodge yourself; registered tax agents can lodge later.
- Wait for pre-fill: employers, banks and funds report income by late July, so lodging later in July means fewer mistakes.
- Standard deduction: From 2026-27, the ATO applies a $1,000 standard deduction for work-related expenses automatically to people with labour income. Claiming actual work expenses reduces it dollar for dollar, so it only pays to claim and keep records if your expenses come to more than $1,000.
- Refunds lodged online usually arrive within about two weeks.
Working from home? Compare your claim with the standard deduction using the Work From Home Deduction Calculator. HELP debt? See the repayment with the HELP Repayment Calculator.
Features
2026-27 rates
Resident tax rates with the new 15% first rate.
Offsets and levies
Low income tax offset, Medicare levy and surcharge.
HELP repayment
Compulsory study loan repayment included.
Deduction value
Shows how much tax your deductions save.
When to use it
Before tax time
Know roughly what to expect. Working from home? Use the Work From Home Deduction Calculator.
Two jobs
Check if not enough tax was withheld. Drive for work? Use the Car Expenses Deduction Calculator.
Claiming deductions
See what work expenses are worth. HELP debt? See the HELP Repayment Calculator.
Students
Include HELP repayments. See your tax with the Income Tax Calculator.
Related Tax tasks
Frequently asked questions
How is my tax refund worked out?
The ATO compares the tax you should pay for the year with the tax already withheld from your pay. If more was withheld, you get the difference back as a refund.
What are the 2026-27 tax rates?
For residents: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000 and 45% above. The Medicare levy of 2% is extra.
What is the low income tax offset?
Up to $700 off the tax of people on lower incomes. It reduces from $37,500 and ends at about $66,667.
When can I lodge my tax return?
From 1 July. If you lodge yourself, the deadline is 31 October. Registered tax agents can lodge later under their lodgment program.
How long does a refund take?
Most returns lodged online through myTax are processed within two weeks.
Why do I owe tax?
Common reasons are working two jobs and claiming the tax-free threshold from both, investment income, or a HELP debt that was not withheld.
What deductions can I claim?
Work-related expenses you paid for yourself and are not reimbursed, such as working from home, tools and uniforms, plus gifts to charities and the cost of managing your tax affairs.
Do I need receipts?
Yes. Keep records for deductions for five years from when you lodge.
How does HELP affect my refund?
If your repayment income is over the threshold, a compulsory repayment is added to your tax bill, reducing your refund.
Is this exact?
It is an estimate. Your actual result depends on all your income, offsets and the ATO's assessment.
Does the $1,000 standard deduction change my claim?
From 2026-27, the ATO applies a $1,000 standard deduction for work-related expenses automatically if you earn labour income. Work expenses you claim, including working from home and car costs, reduce it dollar for dollar, so only claim and keep records if your expenses come to more than $1,000.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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