Do I need to lodge a tax return?

This tool will help you work out if you need to lodge a tax return for the previous seven income years.

If you are a working holiday maker do not use this calculator, you will need to read Working holiday makers for more information.

From 1 July 2017 onwards if you're a foreign resident for tax purposes and you had an accumulated Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) or Trade Support Loan (TSL) debt – you'll need to declare your worldwide income or lodge a non-lodgment advice. You can do this using our online services via myGov or through a registered Australian tax agent.

For more information, see HELP and TSL overseas obligations.

The Study and training loan repayment calculator will help you find out your compulsory repayment or overseas levy amounts.

You'll need to lodge if:

• your concessional contributions to your super exceeded the concessional contributions cap, or
• your non-concessional contributions exceeded your non-concessional contributions cap.

You may also need to lodge if you are in receipt of a capped defined benefit income stream, even where you have not been required to do so for some time.

Next Step:

To help you work out if you need to lodge for the 2013 income year through to and including the 2019 income year, you can use our Do I need to lodge a tax return?This link opens in a new window tool. This tool will take between five and 10 minutes to complete.

If you're unsure if you need to lodge a tax return for earlier years, you can choose from the following links:

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

Note: If you need to lodge a tax return for years prior to 2008 – go to our Prior years individuals tax return forms and schedules and select the relevant year.