Tax calculator and tax refund estimator
This tax calculator estimates your income tax for 2026-27 and tells you whether you're likely to get a tax refund or owe the ATO. It handles one job or two, so it suits casual and labour hire workers who've had more than one employer during the year. Enter your income and the tax withheld from your income statements to see the result.
Updated 12 November 2026 · Uses 2026-27 figures
Estimate your tax refund
Use the figures from your income statements in myGov.
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on 2026-27 figures and the assumptions shown. Check your award, agreement or a qualified adviser for your situation.
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Find workHow to use the tax calculator
- Find your income statements in myGov (ATO online services). Each employer reports your gross pay and the tax they withheld.
- Enter Job 1 income and Job 1 tax withheld.
- If you had a second job, enter its income and tax withheld. Leave it at 0 if not. For three or more jobs, add them into Job 2.
- Enter your work-related deductions, such as uniforms, tools, licences and union fees.
- Read your estimated refund or tax to pay, your taxable income and your marginal tax rate.
How the tax calculator works
Your tax return compares the tax you should pay for the year with the tax your employers already took out. If they withheld more than you owe, you get a refund. If they withheld less, you get a tax bill.
The calculator adds your income, takes off deductions to get taxable income, then applies the 2026-27 resident tax rates:
| Taxable income | Tax on this income (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| $0 to $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 to $45,000 | 15c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 to $135,000 | $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 to $190,000 | $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
It then subtracts the low income tax offset (up to $700 for incomes under $37,500, phasing out completely at $66,667) and adds the 2% Medicare levy. The final step compares this with your total tax withheld.
Worked example: two jobs in one year
A worker earned $48,000 in a main job with $6,200 withheld, and $14,000 in a second casual job with $1,100 withheld. They have $1,200 of work deductions.
Taxable income is $60,800. Income tax after offsets is about $8,672 and the Medicare levy is $1,216, so the total due is $9,888.
Only $7,300 was withheld, so this worker would have an estimated $2,588 to pay, not a refund.
This is the most common reason people with two jobs get a tax bill. Each employer withholds as if their job is your only income. The second job's withholding is too low, especially if you claimed the tax-free threshold from both employers.
Why is my tax return so low?
A small refund, or a bill, usually comes down to one of these:
- Two or more jobs with the tax-free threshold claimed more than once.
- A pay rise or extra overtime late in the year that pushed some income into the 30% bracket.
- Fewer deductions than last year, for example if you stopped working from home or no longer buy your own tools.
- HELP repayments, which are added to your tax bill once your income passes the repayment threshold.
- Losing the low income tax offset as income rises past $37,500 and then $45,000.
To avoid a bill next year, claim the tax-free threshold from your main employer only, or ask your second employer to withhold extra tax.
When is the tax return due?
The financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. If you lodge your own return through myTax, the deadline is 31 October. If you use a registered tax agent and are on their list before 31 October, you usually get more time.
You can lodge from 1 July, but income statements are not final until your employer marks them "tax ready", which is often by mid-July. Lodging early with figures that aren't final can mean amending your return later. Most online returns are processed within about two weeks.
Do I need to lodge a tax return?
Most people who had tax withheld from their pay need to lodge, even if their income was low, because that's the only way to get the withheld tax back.
What can I claim on my tax return?
Work-related deductions must be money you spent yourself, directly connected to earning your income, with a record to prove it. Common claims for casual and labour hire workers include:
- Protective clothing, high-visibility gear and steel-capped boots.
- Tools and equipment used for work.
- Licence renewals and tickets you pay for that are needed for your current job, such as a forklift licence renewal.
- Union fees.
- Car expenses for travel between work sites (not normally home to work), using the cents per kilometre method at 91 cents per kilometre for 2026-27.
Check the ATO's guidance for your occupation before claiming. If you're contracting on an ABN rather than on wages, use the ABN tax calculator instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax return will I get?
Your refund is the tax withheld from your pay minus the tax you actually owe on your taxable income, including the Medicare levy. Enter your income, tax withheld and deductions above for an estimate. A single job with the tax-free threshold claimed and some deductions usually gives a modest refund.
When can I lodge my tax return for 2026?
Returns for the year ending 30 June can be lodged from 1 July. It's usually best to wait until your employers mark your income statements as tax ready in myGov, which often happens by mid-July, so your figures are final.
How long does a tax return take?
The ATO says most returns lodged online are processed within about two weeks. Paper returns and returns flagged for review take longer. Money owed to other government agencies, such as Centrelink debts, can be taken from your refund.
Why do I owe money on my tax return?
Usually because not enough tax was withheld during the year. The most common cause is working two jobs and claiming the tax-free threshold from both. HELP repayments, a pay rise late in the year and fewer deductions can also turn a refund into a bill.
What tax bracket am I in?
For 2026-27, taxable income up to $18,200 is tax-free, the next band to $45,000 is taxed at 15%, then 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000 and 45% above that. Your bracket is the rate on your last dollar of income, which the calculator shows as your marginal rate.
What is the highest tax bracket in Australia?
The top rate is 45% on taxable income over $190,000 for 2026-27. With the 2% Medicare levy, the top marginal rate is 47%.
Can I claim the tax-free threshold from two jobs?
You can, but it usually leads to a tax bill. The $18,200 threshold applies to your total income, so claiming it twice means both employers under-withhold. Claim it from the job that pays the most and tick no for the others.
Related calculators
Related guides
Salary vs wagesSources and assumptions
- ATO: Tax rates for Australian residents
- ATO: Low income tax offset
- ATO: Medicare levy reduction for low-income earners
- ATO: Cents per kilometre method
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on 2026-27 figures and the assumptions shown. Check your award, agreement or a qualified adviser for your situation.