Online Tax Returns Australia -- How GoTax Works, What It Costs, and Why Australians Choose It

Written by Mark Walmsley CA -- Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent (TPB 25498770)

Last updated 12 May 2026

GoTax is an ATO-registered online tax return service that lets Australians lodge their individual income tax return from anywhere, at any time, without an appointment. Every return is reviewed by a Chartered Accountant before it is lodged with the ATO. Pricing starts from $0 for simple returns. GoTax has been operating since 1994 -- over 30 years of Australian tax returns, all under the registration of a qualified Chartered Accountant.

How an Online Tax Return Works -- Step by Step

Doing your tax return online with GoTax takes most people under 15 minutes. Here is exactly what happens from start to finish.

GoTax vs myTax vs a Traditional Tax Agent -- What's the Difference?

There are three main options for lodging your Australian individual tax return: do it yourself via the ATO's myTax platform, use a registered tax agent in person, or use an online tax agent like GoTax. The table below compares the key differences.

The main advantage of GoTax over self-lodging via myTax is the CA review -- every GoTax return is checked by a Chartered Accountant before it goes to the ATO. The main advantage over a traditional tax agent is cost and convenience -- no appointment, no travel, no waiting, and a fixed price that is a fraction of most agent fees.

Five Things to Know Before Doing Your Tax Return Online

1. ATO pre-fill is available from late July each year -- but it is not always complete. The ATO's pre-fill data (income statements, bank interest, health insurance) becomes available from late July after each financial year ends. If you lodge in early July, some data may not yet have flowed through -- particularly for employers who are late submitting income statements. GoTax shows you what is pre-filled and flags anything that still needs your input.

2. You do not need every receipt before you start -- but you do need records. GoTax does not require you to upload receipts for every deduction. For claims under $300, you can enter amounts without an invoice. For items over $300, you need a receipt. GoTax flags when records are needed and lets you upload directly in the return. The Deduction Grabber app is the easiest way to have everything ready before you start.

3. Your refund estimate changes as you enter deductions -- watch it climb. The GoTax dashboard shows your estimated refund or tax payable in real time as you complete each section. This helps you see immediately which deductions are having the biggest impact. If you're unsure whether to include a deduction, the GoTax CA review will confirm whether it is appropriate before lodgement.

4. You can save and come back -- you do not need to finish in one session. GoTax saves your progress automatically. If you need to find a receipt, check a figure, or come back tomorrow, your return will be exactly where you left it. There is no time pressure and no risk of losing work.

5. The CA review before lodgement is the key difference from self-lodging. When you lodge via myTax directly, you are solely responsible for the accuracy of every figure. With GoTax, a Chartered Accountant reviews your finalised return and confirms it is correct before it goes to the ATO. This catches errors, flags potential issues, and gives you the confidence of a professional sign-off at a fraction of the traditional agent price.

What to Have Ready Before You Start

Most of the information GoTax needs is pre-filled from the ATO. This checklist covers what you should have handy to complete the process quickly:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an online tax return take with GoTax?

Most GoTax returns take between 10 and 20 minutes for a typical individual return. Simple returns with a single employer and no rental or investment income often take under 10 minutes, since most fields are pre-filled from the ATO. Returns with multiple income sources, rental properties, or complex deductions take longer -- typically 20 to 40 minutes. You can save and return at any point, so there is no need to complete everything in one session.

Is GoTax safe and secure for lodging my tax return online?

Yes. GoTax holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification -- the international standard for information security management. GoTax is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB Registration 25498770) and all data is encrypted in transit and at rest. GoTax does not share your information with third parties. The ATO's own lodgement systems have operated securely for over 25 years of electronic lodgement.

What does an online tax return cost with GoTax?

GoTax pricing is fixed and transparent. A Quick Tax Return (simple PAYG, one employer, no investment income) costs $35. A Full Individual Return (multiple income sources, investment income, rental property, complex deductions) costs $65. A Rental Property Return costs $109 plus $40 per additional property. There are no hidden fees and no charges based on your refund amount. Pensioner and low-income returns are available for $0. GoTax does offer fee-from-refund arrangements on standard returns.

Can GoTax handle complex returns -- rental property, shares, multiple jobs?

Yes. GoTax handles the full range of individual tax returns: multiple employers, rental properties, share portfolios, managed fund distributions, foreign income, salary sacrifice, novated lease, and more. The GoTax return process guides you through each income and deduction category with prompts and explanations. For rental properties, GoTax walks you through all deductible expenses including interest, depreciation, agent fees, and repairs. Every return -- simple or complex -- is reviewed by a Chartered Accountant before lodgement.

What is the difference between GoTax and lodging via myTax directly?

myTax is the ATO's own self-lodgement platform -- it is free and suitable for simple returns. The key differences with GoTax are: (1) GoTax reviews every return with a Chartered Accountant before lodgement; (2) GoTax prompts you with occupation-matched deduction categories that myTax does not; (3) GoTax includes the free Deduction Grabber app for capturing receipts throughout the year; (4) if you make an error via myTax, you are solely responsible -- GoTax catches errors before they become a problem. For straightforward returns, myTax is a reasonable choice. For anyone with deductions, investments, or multiple income sources, the CA review adds meaningful protection.

When will I get my refund after lodging online?

The ATO typically processes electronically-lodged returns within 2 weeks of lodgement. Some returns are processed in as little as 5 to 7 business days; others with additional review may take longer. The ATO issues a Notice of Assessment when your return is processed, and your refund is deposited directly to the bank account you nominate. GoTax notifies you when your assessment is received. Lodging earlier in the financial year generally means faster processing, as the ATO is less busy in July and August than later in the tax season.

Do I need a registered tax agent to do an online return?

You are not legally required to use a tax agent -- you can self-lodge via myTax for free. However, using a registered agent like GoTax provides several protections: agents are legally responsible for returns they lodge; CA review before lodgement catches errors; and if the ATO later queries your return, GoTax handles the communication. Self-lodgement places full responsibility on you. The GoTax Full Individual Return at $65 provides all the benefits of a registered agent at a fraction of the cost of a traditional tax agent.

Ready to start? Begin your GoTax online tax return -- or use the free GoTax Tax Calculator first to see what your refund might look like.

Mark Walmsley CA is a Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent with 40 years of Australian tax practice experience. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and a Graduate Diploma of Taxation, and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Mark is the principal of GoTax and the Registered Tax Agent responsible for all GoTax-lodged returns (TPB Registration 25498770). Every tax return submitted through GoTax is finalised under his registration -- no outsourcing, no offshore processing.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.