Where's my refund?

How long can you expect to wait?

Processing times for tax returns vary according to how you lodged.

Standard processing times are:

online (using e-tax) – two weeks
phone – two weeks
mail – six weeks.

If you lodged through a tax agent, contact them for information regarding lodgement date and processing times.

If your return is incomplete, incorrect or needs checking, it may take longer to complete the process.

If you sent your tax return by ordinary post please wait seven weeks before phoning to check on our progress with your tax return. If you lodged over the internet or by phone, please wait three weeks.

To check the progress of your refund, phone 13 28 65. This is an automated service and is available 24 hours a day, every day.

You will need to key in your tax file number (TFN) using your telephone keypad to use this service.

Can you get your refund faster?

We may be able to help you get a quicker refund if you are in serious financial hardship and you will be lodging a paper tax return. Serious financial hardship means you are unable to provide food, accommodation, clothing, medical treatment, education or other necessities for you, your family or other people for whom you are responsible.

Phone us on 13 28 61 before you lodge your tax return to find out if you are eligible for this faster service. Have on hand your tax return, TFN, pension or benefit statement, payment summaries and other papers that show you are in serious financial hardship.

What if you think your assessment is wrong?

Check all the details on your notice of assessment with those on your tax return. If you still think there is a problem, phone us on 13 28 61 for help. You will need your notice of assessment and, if possible, a copy of your tax return.

What if you still think your assessment is wrong?

You can write to us and object to your assessment. If you want to object, see Objection guide.

Generally, you must lodge your objection within the two-year or four-year amendment period, whichever applies to you.

For more information, refer to Review of your assessment and record keeping.

What to do/read next

Objection guide.

If you require more information regarding tax return processing times, you may phone us on 13 28 61.

Last Modified: Friday, 30 October 2009

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We are committed to providing you with advice and guidance you can rely on, so we make every effort to ensure that what we give you is correct.

If you follow our advice or guidance and it turns out to be incorrect, or it is misleading and you make a mistake as a result, we will take that into account when determining what action, if any, we should take.

Some of the advice and guidance on this website applies to a specific financial year. This is clearly marked. Make sure you have the information for the right year before making decisions based on that information.

If you feel that our advice and guidance does not fully cover your circumstances, or you are unsure how it applies to you, contact us or seek professional advice.

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