Get ready for your tax return.
Organise your expenses. Take a checklist into myTax.
Save & come back later
Keep a draft in this browser only. It includes your answers, added expenses and any expense you are still typing. Anyone using this browser profile can open it.
Nothing is saved automatically.
General education and expense organisation. Not a registered tax agent or ATO service. Does not approve deductions, calculate refunds or lodge returns.
Help & common questions
Does a deduction mean I get that amount back?
No. A deduction generally reduces taxable income. The eventual refund or bill depends on the whole return, including tax already withheld and other adjustments. This guide does not estimate a refund.
ATO · Lodge online with myTax ↗Can I lodge before my income statement is Tax ready?
The ATO advises waiting until your employer has finalised the statement and it shows Tax ready. Pre-filled information can appear before it is final. Check all employers, rather than just the first statement.
ATO · Access your income statement ↗Is $300 an automatic work deduction?
No. A record-keeping exception is not a free allowance. You must have incurred an eligible expense and be able to explain how you calculated it. Different categories have different evidence rules.
ATO · Records you need to keep ↗Can I deduct everything my employer asks me to buy?
Not automatically. Check the type of expense, its connection with earning income, private use and reimbursements. A work dress code alone does not make everyday clothing deductible.
ATO · Employees guide for work expenses ↗How long should I keep my records?
The ATO generally requires tax records to be kept for five years. The starting date and exceptions vary, so use its record-keeping guidance for the records you hold.
ATO · Records you need to keep ↗Is Howloop connected to the ATO or myGov?
No. Howloop is an independent educational website. Your checklist runs in this browser. You sign in and lodge only on the official government service; Howloop cannot view or submit your return.
ATO · Lodge online with myTax ↗ATO sources & how this guide works
General sources checked 18 September 2026. This guide uses pre-written education, not a year-specific tax calculation. The year selection labels your checklist and validates expense dates. Any optional AI explanations are labelled separately.
A term still unclear?
Ask a general question about one of the topics above. AI explanations can be wrong; check the linked ATO source. This assistant cannot decide your entitlement, calculate a claim or complete a return.
Enabling this panel loads Cloudflare’s verification service. Sending a question shares it with OpenAI; your checklist is not included.