Enter your income, the tax withheld and your deductions to estimate your 2026-27 refund — or what you might owe. See exactly how each deduction changes the result.
1
Your year
Pre-filled with an estimate — enter your actual figure for accuracy.
Use the $1,000 instant work deduction
hrs
I have a HELP/HECS debt
Private hospital cover all year
2
Your estimate
Estimated tax refund
$0
Tax withheld
Tax owed
Taxable income
Income tax (after LITO)
Medicare levy
Medicare levy surcharge
HELP/HECS repayment
Total tax for the year
Common questions
How is my tax refund calculated?
Your refund is the tax withheld from your pay across the year minus your actual tax for the year. Your actual tax is the income tax on your taxable income (income minus deductions), less the Low Income Tax Offset, plus the Medicare levy and any HELP/HECS repayment. If more was withheld than you owe, the difference is refunded.
What can I claim as a deduction?
Common deductions include work-related expenses, working-from-home costs (70c per hour under the fixed-rate method), donations to registered charities, and income-protection premiums. From 2026-27 you can instead claim a flat $1,000 for work expenses without receipts.
Why do I get a refund at all?
Usually because your employer withheld slightly more than needed, or because your deductions lower your taxable income below what your withholding assumed. Deductions do not come back dollar-for-dollar — they save you tax at your marginal rate.
Is this the same as lodging my return?
No — this is an estimate to help you plan. Your actual assessment depends on all your income, offsets and circumstances, and is calculated by the ATO when you lodge. Use it as a guide, not a substitute for your return.