When is EOFY 2026?
The 2025–26 financial year runs from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Anything you want to count toward your 2025–26 tax return — deductible purchases, super contributions, donations — generally has to be paid (and, for super, received by your fund) by 30 June 2026. You then lodge the return from 1 July 2026, with 31 October 2026 the deadline for self-lodgers.
Before 30 June 2026 — your action list
1. Top up your super (within the cap)
The concessional (before-tax) cap for 2025–26 is $30,000, and that includes the Super Guarantee your employer pays. Work out your head-room, then consider a salary-sacrifice top-up or a personal deductible contribution.
- Use carry-forward. If your total super balance was under $500,000 on 30 June 2025, you can use unused concessional cap from the previous five years. Unused 2020–21 cap expires permanently on 30 June 2026 — this is the last year to use it.
- Non-concessional (after-tax) cap is $120,000, or $360,000 over three years under the bring-forward rule.
- Timing matters. A personal contribution must be received by your fund before 30 June — not just sent — and you must lodge a Notice of Intent to claim a deduction with your fund before you lodge your return. Clearing houses can take several business days, so don't leave it to 30 June.
2. Bring forward deductible expenses
Spending you were going to do anyway can be worth more if it lands before 30 June:
- Prepay income protection premiums, professional memberships and subscriptions, and donations to DGR-registered charities.
- Investors can prepay up to 12 months of interest and bring forward deductible repairs (but not capital improvements).
- Buy and install work-related tools or equipment you'll claim.
- Working from home: the ATO fixed rate for 2025–26 is 70 cents per hour. Whichever method you use, you need a record of the hours you actually worked from home.
3. Get your records in order
Pull together receipts, your car logbook (a valid logbook lasts five years), bank and investment statements, your private health insurance statement, and your income statement. Your employer finalises your income statement in myGov in July — wait for it to be marked "Tax ready".
4. Pay down any ATO debt
From 1 July 2026, the ATO's general interest charge (GIC) on overdue tax debts is no longer tax-deductible. Clearing a tax debt before then is worth more than it used to be.
5. Check your private health cover
If you earn over $101,000 (single) or $202,000 (family) and don't hold private hospital cover, the Medicare Levy Surcharge applies for every day you're uninsured. And if you turned 31 this year, taking out hospital cover before 1 July avoids the Lifetime Health Cover loading (2% for each year you're over 30).
What's different this financial year (2025–26)
| Item | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| HELP/HECS repayments start above | $67,000 (marginal system) |
| Work-from-home fixed rate | 70c per hour |
| Super Guarantee rate | 12% (final rate) |
| Concessional super cap | $30,000 |
| Medicare Levy Surcharge starts | $101,000 single / $202,000 family |
| Private health rebate (age 70+) | up to 32.158% |
After 1 July — lodging your 2025–26 return
Don't rush. You can lodge from 1 July, but waiting until late July or August means your pre-fill — employer income, bank interest, dividends, health fund — is complete. Lodging too early is the single most common cause of errors and amended returns.
- Self-lodge through myTax in myGov, or use a registered tax agent.
- Using a tax agent usually extends your deadline to around 15 May 2027 — but only if you're on their books before 31 October.
- Self-lodgement deadline: 31 October 2026.
One thing that does not apply to this return
The new $1,000 instant tax deduction and the 16%→15% tax-rate cut both start on 1 July 2026 — so they apply to your 2026–27 return, not the 2025–26 return you lodge this year. Don't assume they're in play for the return you're about to file.
Common EOFY mistakes
- Sending a super contribution on 29 June and assuming it counts — it has to be received by the fund by 30 June.
- Forgetting the Notice of Intent for a deductible personal super contribution (no notice, no deduction).
- Lodging in early July before your pre-fill data is ready.
- Claiming work-from-home hours with no record to back them up.
- Missing the carry-forward concessional cap from 2020–21 that expires for good on 30 June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the end of the 2025–26 financial year?
30 June 2026. The 2025–26 financial year runs 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. The new financial year starts 1 July 2026.
Can I still add to super before 30 June 2026?
Yes, within the caps — $30,000 concessional (before-tax, including your employer's super) and $120,000 non-concessional (after-tax). The contribution must be received by your fund before 30 June, not just sent, and for a deductible personal contribution you must lodge a Notice of Intent. Allow several business days for clearing houses.
Should I lodge my tax return in July?
You can lodge from 1 July, but waiting until late July or August means your pre-fill data (employer, bank, health fund, dividends) is complete, which cuts errors and amendments. The deadline for self-lodgers is 31 October 2026.
Does the new $1,000 standard deduction apply to my 2025–26 return?
No. The $1,000 instant deduction and the lower 15% tax rate both start on 1 July 2026, so they apply to your 2026–27 return — not the 2025–26 return you lodge this year.
What if I have a HELP or HECS debt?
You must lodge if your repayment income is above the $67,000 threshold for 2025–26. Your debt is also indexed on 1 June 2026, so a voluntary payment made before then reduces the balance that gets indexed.