Do I need to lodge a tax return?

Use the Do I need to lodge a tax return tool or instructions to help you work out if you need to lodge a tax return. You can use the tool in ATO online services through your myGov account or access the web-based tool below.

On this page:

• Before you use the tool
• Access the tool in ATO online through myGov – for income years 2019–20 and 2018–19.
• Access the web-based tool – for income years 2019–20 back to 2013–14.
• If you receive Australian Government payments and allowances
• Instructions for earlier income years – 2011–12 back to 2007–08.

Before you use the tool

We base the results from our tools on the information you provide us or information we know about you at the time. You may need to use the tool again to check if you need to lodge, if:

• your situation changes
• additional information becomes available from a third party.

Access the tool in ATO online through myGov

To access the tool you need a myGov account linked to the ATO.

When you access the tool through ATO online services it uses information we know about you. This information comes from third party reports, such as employers and government agencies. This means there are less questions you will need to answer, and the result is tailored to you.

This tool is available for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 income years.

If the result shows you need to lodge a tax return, you can go straight to myTax to complete your return online.

If the result shows you don't need to lodge a tax return, you need to tell us by submitting a non-lodgment advice. A link to the non-lodgment advice is available from the results page.

If you already have an account, access the tool by clicking the link below. This will open a new window where you can log in to myGov and access the tool.

Or you can navigate to the tool, by:

• logging in to your myGov accountThis link opens in a new window
• from the menu select, Tax > Lodgments > Income tax
• from the Not lodged tab, select the relevant income year
• then select, Do I need to lodge.

See also:

• Get started with myGov and ATO online services – to create an account and use the tool through myGov.

Access the web-based tool

Anyone can access and use our web based Do I need to lodge tool.

Use the web-based tool if you:

• don't have a myGov account linked to the ATO
• need to work out if you need to lodge a return for an income year from 2012–13 to 2019–20.

This tool asks you a series of questions to determine whether you need to lodge a tax return. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

Next step:

• Access the Do I need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window tool

If you receive Australian Government payments and allowances

You won't need to lodge a tax return if you meet these conditions for 2019–20:

• you only receive an Government payments and allowances, and your taxable income has not exceeded $20,542
• tax was not withheld from your payment
• your adjusted taxable income was less than $25,575.

If you're not sure if you meet the above conditions, check using the Do I need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window tool.

If you don't need to lodge a tax return you will need to notify us of this by completing a non-lodgment advice.

Next Step:

• Lodging the non-lodgment advice

You will also need to notify Services Australia that you do not need to lodge a tax return. If you don't you may not receive the correct allowance or benefit.

Instructions for earlier income years

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.