Do I need to lodge a tax return?

Use one of our tools to help you work out if you need to lodge a tax return for the 2013–14 to 2019–20 income years.

Information you need for this tool

• Whether you received any Australian Government pensions, payments or allowances.
• Your taxable income or your rebate income.
• Your residency status for taxation purposes.
• If you had a spouse, their taxable income or rebate income.
• Amount of tax withheld from payments made to you.
• Your marital status.
• Your eligibility for the seniors and pensioners tax offset.
• Copies of any income statements or payment summaries.
• Any superannuation contributions you made.
• If you had an accumulated HELP, VSL or TSL debt.

You may need additional information, depending on your circumstances and what questions are asked as you navigate through the tool.

Disclaimer

The results of this tool are based on the information you provide. You may need to use the tool again if your situation changes.

Choose the right tool

For the 2018–19 and 2019–20 income years, use our authenticated tool:

• You can access the authenticated tool through ATO online services in myGovThis link opens in a new window – this version is easy and more accurate because we use information we already know about you.  
  • In ATO online services select Tax, then select Lodgments. Go to the Income tax menu then select the Not lodged tab. Select the relevant year.

See also:

• myGov and linking to the ATO – to create a myGov account or link your myGov to the ATO

For income years from 2012–13 to 2019–20 you can use our web based tool:

• Do I need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window – this tool will take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete.

For income years prior to 2012–13 use the following links for the relevant year:

• 2012 – Do you need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window
• 2011 – Do you need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window
• 2010 – Do you need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window
• 2009 – Do you need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window
• 2008 – Do you need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window

For income years before 2007–08 go to our Prior years individuals tax return forms and schedules and select the relevant year.