Do I need to lodge a tax return?

Use the Do I need to lodge a tax return tool to help you work out if you need to lodge a tax return. There are two versions of the tool available for use.

On this page:

• Before you use the tool
• Access the tool using your myGov account – for income years 2018–19 and 2019–20.
• Access the tool without a myGov account – for income years from 2013–14 to 2019–20.
• If you receive of Australian Government payments and allowances
• Tools for earlier income years

Before you use the tool

The results from our tools are based on the information you provide or that is available at the time. You may need to use the tools again if:

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

Access the tool using your myGov account

This tool uses information we know about you from your myGov account. It is only available for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 income years. The tool uses information reported to us by third parties, such as employers and government agencies. This means there are less questions you will need to answer and the result is tailored to you.

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

If do not need to lodge a tax return, you still need to tell us. You can also do this through your myGov account.

To access the tool you need a myGov account that's linked to the ATO. Follow the pathway below to find the tool:

• login in to myGovExternal Link
• select ATO from 'Your services'
• from the menu, select Tax
• then select, Lodgments
• then select, Income tax
• from the Not lodged tab, select the relevant income year
• then select, Do I need to lodge.

A new window will open with the tool ready for you to use.

See also:

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

Access the tool without a myGov account

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

Use the web-based tool if you either:

• don't have a myGov account linked to the ATO
• have an enquiry relating to 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 five 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 payment and allowances

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

• you only received an Government payment 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.

Tools 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.