When Will My Tax Refund Hit My Bank?

For most of us, tax time isn’t about the forms — it’s about one thing: when the refund finally lands in your bank account. The ATO might move slower than a Friday arvo in the public service, but with the right info (and GoTax Online on your side), you can shave days or even weeks off the wait.

In 2025, Tax refunds are still flowing, but timing depends on a lot more than just hitting “submit.” Let’s unpack what really determines refund speed, how long you can expect to wait, and what you can do to make sure your money moves fast. All done by Gotax Online Tax Experts.

How long does it take to get a tax refund?

On average, most tax refunds hit your bank within 7–14 business days after the ATO processes your return. That’s the typical turnaround — but it’s not guaranteed.

For a casual worker with one employer, refunds often clear in under a week. But if you’ve got a rental property, ABN income, or investment earnings, the ATO usually spends more time checking before they press the payout button.

Does the time of year affect refund speed?

Yep. Lodge early in July and you’ll often face delays. Why? Because the ATO is still waiting for prefill data from banks, employers, and government agencies. If you beat the data into the system, the ATO will likely hold your return back until everything matches.

By mid-July, most prefill is available and processing speeds up. By August and September, refunds usually fly through as the ATO has almost all data matched up.

Can GoTax speed up my refund?

Yes. GoTax is built for speed because we link directly to the ATO’s systems. That means no third-party delays, no paper forms clogging up the system, and no second-guessing.

If speed matters most, GoTax’s Quick Tax Return is the best option — built for simple tax affairs, it’s processed lightning fast.

What can delay a tax refund?

The ATO has plenty of reasons to hold things up:

• Missing prefill data (like bank interest or dividends).

• Over-claimed deductions that don’t add up.

• Owing debts to Centrelink, Child Support, or other government agencies.

• Identity checks when your details don’t match perfectly.

Think of it like airport security — the more you carry, the more they want to scan.

Do rental property owners wait longer?

Often, yes. Rental schedules are complex and the ATO double-checks them carefully. Missed expenses, shared ownership, or dodgy apportioning can trigger a review.

That’s where our Rental Property Return comes in — we handle the detail so your return sails through ATO checks without dragging your refund into next month.

Does using a tax agent make refunds faster?

Generally, yes. Using a registered agent like GoTax means your return goes straight through the professional ATO systems. That reduces errors, ensures all data is matched, and means your refund is released the moment it’s cleared.

Does the Fee From Refund option delay payment?

Yes, it can take a day or two longer. Choosing Fee From Refund does slow things down a little, there's extra handling of your refund. The ATO releases the refund to GoTax, we deduct our fee, and transfer the rest directly to your nominated bank account. It’s all part of the same transaction cycle.

Why does the ATO sometimes hold refunds?

There are three big reasons:

1. Identity concerns – they think your TFN or details might not be correct.

2. Verification checks – they want to confirm your income and deductions.

3. Debt offsets – you owe money elsewhere and the ATO takes its cut first.

Translation: if something smells funny, they’ll hold your cash until it clears.

Can self-employed people expect slower refunds?

Not automatically — but it depends on your records. If you’re self-employed, clean bookkeeping makes all the difference.

Using GoTax’s Self-Employed Tax Return means everything balances before it even hits the ATO, which avoids the dreaded “manual review” pile.

What about rideshare drivers?

ATO data-matching on rideshare drivers is strict. If Uber, Ola, or Didi reports don’t match your figures, the refund gets held. Filing through GoTax’s Rideshare Return avoids mismatches and keeps your money moving.

How do I avoid refund delays?

• Wait until prefill data drops in mid-July.

• Be accurate with income and deductions.

• Use GoTax’s Free Tax Software to capture every expense.

• Lodge with a registered tax agent like GoTax.

Follow those four steps and you’ll almost always land your refund in under two weeks.

Average Refund Timelines (by Return Type)

What’s the fastest way to get a refund in 2025?

The fastest strategy:

1. Start with GoTax from 16/06/25.

2. Wait for prefill to land mid-July.

3. Use Quick Tax Return if you’re simple, or GoTax pro returns if you’re complex.

Do that, and most refunds clear inside two weeks.

Gotax says

The ATO might control the payout button, but you control how smooth the process is. GoTax is built to get your refund moving — whether you’re an employee, landlord, freelancer, or driver. Lodge smart, lodge once, and get your money where it belongs: in your bank, not the ATO’s.

What next?

Don’t sit around waiting. Start your return now at https://www.gotax.com.au.

Signup to GoTax Online Tax Experts and not only get your Tax return done, you can also ask as many questions as you like and get informed answers. You have access to the equivalent of a Tax Einstein — that is our very own D.e.r.e.k as well as the best credentialed and backed Tax Accountants around.