‘What to give accountant tax return Australia 2026’ is one of the most common questions people google once tax time rolls around. Tax time runs smoother, and usually faster, when your accountant has everything they need upfront, rather than chasing you for missing documents over several weeks while your return sits half-finished.
Here’s a complete list of what to gather before your appointment, organised the way most accountants will actually work through it. You can also cross-check your records against the ATO’s 2026 individual tax return checklist, which outlines the supporting information the ATO expects you to keep for your return.
Personal details
If you’re working with your accountant for the first time they’ll need your Tax File Number, date of birth, full name, current address, and bank account details for any refund. If you’re married or in a de facto relationship, your spouse’s name, date of birth, and income details, since this affects several offsets and levy calculations even though you each lodge your own separate return.
Income documents
Your income statement showing salary, wages, allowances, and tax withheld, which is usually marked “tax ready” in myGov once your employer finalises it through Single Touch Payroll, though it’s still worth checking it against your final payslip for accuracy before assuming it’s complete.
Bank statements showing interest earned, annual tax statements from any shares or managed funds showing dividend income and franking credits, and total rent received if you own an investment property.
Records of any capital gains events, from selling shares, an investment property, crypto, or other assets, and details of any government payments received during the year, since some Centrelink payments are taxable while others aren’t.
If you have foreign income of any kind, salary earned overseas, foreign investment income, or rental income from an overseas property, bring the gross amounts and details of any foreign tax already paid, as this affects your entitlement to a foreign tax offset and needs to be reported regardless of whether the money ever made it to an Australian bank account.
Deduction documentation
Work-related expense receipts: vehicle logbooks, compulsory uniform and equipment purchases, self-education costs, and union or professional membership fees.
Working from home records: your hours record for the year, kept as you went rather than reconstructed afterwards, plus at least one bill for each expense category covered by whichever method you’re using.
If you own an investment property, bring your annual statement from the property manager, loan interest statements, and any other expenses you paid directly that didn’t go through the property manager’s trust account: council rates notices, insurance renewals, body corporate records, and your quantity surveyor’s depreciation schedule if you have one.
Superannuation and insurance
Records of any personal super contributions made during the year, particularly if you intend to claim a tax deduction for them, since this requires a valid notice of intent lodged with your fund before your return is lodged, not after. Your private health insurance statement, which determines whether the Medicare Levy Surcharge applies, and details of income protection insurance premiums, which are generally deductible.
If your circumstances changed this year
Flag anything unusual: a new job, a redundancy payment, an inheritance, a property sale, starting a side business, or receiving a trust distribution for the first time. These don’t always fit neatly into a standard checklist, and they’re often the precise things that make the largest difference to your return, for better or worse, so don’t assume they’re not relevant just because they’re not on a standard list.
Get in touch
If you’re not sure if something’s deductible get in touch with our team. We can review your situation, identify the deductions that may apply and help you approach tax time with more confidence.
Your document checklist for tax time
Personal information
- TFN, date of birth, current address, bank details for refund (if using a new accountant, or if your bank details are different from last year)
- Spouse’s name, DOB, and income (if applicable)
Income
- Income statement / payment summary
- Bank interest statements
- Dividend and managed fund tax statements
- Rental income summary, if applicable
- Records of any asset sales (shares, property, crypto)
- Foreign income details and foreign tax paid
- Government payment summaries (Centrelink, etc.)
Deductions
- Work-related expense receipts and logbooks
- Working from home hours record and supporting bills
- Self-education costs
- Donation receipts ($2+, registered charities)
- Income protection insurance premium statement
Investment property, if applicable
- Annual statement from property manager
- Loan interest statement
- Council rates, insurance, body corporate records
- Quantity surveyor’s depreciation schedule
- Any out-of-pocket expenses not paid through the managing agent
Superannuation and health
- Personal super contribution records and notice of intent, if claiming a deduction
- Private health insurance statement
Anything unusual this year
- Redundancy, inheritance, property sale, new business, first-time trust distribution
This article is general in nature and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Individual circumstances vary and you should speak with a qualified adviser before making decisions based on your specific position.