myTax
What myTax is
myTax is an online service for individuals and sole traders to prepare and lodge Australian tax returns. It runs in a browser, so there is no software to download, and it works on computers, smartphones and tablets. Use requires a myGov account linked to the ATO. The service is free and supports self-employment, investment and rental income. The ATO can pre-fill information from employers, banks, government agencies, health funds and other third parties, usually by late July; users can also upload myDeductions records. myTax accepts returns from the 2016 income year, with eligible users able to lodge 2014 and 2015 returns. Users can review and print returns before or after lodging and view an estimate and breakdown of a refund or tax debt. The ATO says the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and most online returns are processed within two weeks. Live chat and phone assistance are available for individual tax enquiries.
Who it suits
It suits individuals and sole traders who want to prepare and lodge their own Australian tax return online. It also accommodates self-employment, investment and rental income.
What it does well
- Free to use, with no software download required.
- Works on computers, smartphones and tablets.
- Supports self-employment, investment and rental income.
- Can pre-fill data and accept myDeductions records.
- Shows refund or tax-debt estimates and breakdowns.
What to know first
- Requires a myGov account linked to the ATO.
- Returns supported begin with the 2016 income year, with limited earlier eligibility.
Limits
The free plan requires a myGov account linked to ATO online services. Lodgment is available for income years from 2016 onwards, with 2014 and 2015 returns available only to eligible users.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| myTax | Australian individual tax returns · myGov account linked to ATO online services required | Free |
As ato.gov.au lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the ATO myTax website.
- Create a myGov account if you do not already have one.
- Link your myGov account to the ATO.
- Use myTax in a browser on a computer, smartphone or tablet.
- Review and lodge an eligible return.
Verdict
myTax brings online preparation, lodgment and return review together at no charge. Before starting, users need to link a myGov account to the ATO and should note which income years they can lodge.
Questions
How much does myTax cost?
The myTax plan is free.
What devices can I use?
myTax is web-based and can be used on a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Do I need to create an account?
Yes. Create a myGov account and link it to the ATO to use myTax.
What income can myTax support?
It supports self-employment, investment and rental income.
Which tax years can I lodge?
Returns can be lodged from the 2016 income year onwards. Eligible users can also lodge 2014 and 2015 returns.
Is there help with myTax?
The ATO provides live chat and phone assistance for individual enquiries, including myTax and tax return preparation.
Facts from myTax's own pages
- Access
- To use myTax, create a myGov account and link it to the ATO; no software download is required. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Availability
- The ATO says myTax is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Deductions integration
- Users can upload myDeductions records to pre-fill their tax return. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Devices
- myTax can be used on a computer, smartphone or tablet. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ato.gov.au, 20 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The ATO says myTax is available to individuals and sole traders who want to lodge their own tax return. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Investment income
- Yes · ato.gov.au, 20 Sept 2026
- Mobile access
- web_and_mobile · ato.gov.au, 20 Sept 2026
- Pre-fill
- The ATO can pre-fill information from employers, banks, government agencies, health funds and other third parties, usually by late July. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Processing
- The ATO says most online tax returns are processed within 2 weeks. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- myTax lets individuals prepare and lodge their own tax returns online. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Rental income
- Yes · ato.gov.au, 20 Sept 2026
- Return actions
- Users can lodge returns from the 2016 income year onwards and eligible users can lodge 2014 and 2015 returns. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Review and estimate
- Users can review and print a return before or after lodgment and see an estimate and breakdown of a refund or tax debt. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The ATO says it uses a range of systems and controls to protect users' information. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
- Self-employment support
- Yes · ato.gov.au, 20 Sept 2026
- Support
- The ATO provides live chat for myTax and phone assistance for individual enquiries including myTax and tax return preparation. · ato.gov.au, 12 Oct 2026
Where myTax stands on Freedom251
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