Revealed: The Most Googled Tax Questions in Australia

The financial year may be over, but tax time is still front of mind for small business owners. With lodgement deadlines approaching and deductions on the line, it’s no surprise that thousands are turning to Google for clarity.

To help out, QuickBooks has analysed Google search data to uncover the top Australian tax questions and answers being searched for in the lead-up to EOFY. We’re committed to making financial management easier for small and mid-sized businesses—and that means answering these burning tax-related questions.

We've also brought in Tish Bhagwandeen, a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and founder of Infinance Solutions in Melbourne, to share her expert perspective.

Top 10 most searched tax queries

Here's what Australian business owners are frequently searching for when it comes to tax time:

1. How is income tax calculated in Australia?

(257,690 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

It’s no wonder that this is the most searched for tax question—we all want to know whether we need to pay tax on our hard-earned cash.

The short answer is income tax in Australia is calculated based on your taxable income:

Taxable Income = Assessable Income – Allowable Deductions

Assessable income includes most business earnings, such as sales revenue, service fees, interest income, and more. Deductions must be directly related to earning that income, and some expenses (like personal costs or fines) aren’t claimable.

“It’s essential to understand your business structure,” says Tish Bhagwandeen. “Different structures are taxed differently, which can affect your overall tax outcome.”

Here’s how different business structures are taxed:

2. What can I claim as a tax deduction?

(252,500 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

If you spent money to make money for your business, you can probably claim it back. Think office supplies, equipment, professional development and business travel. These are all potential deductions.

However, some expenses are excluded. You can’t claim:

• Personal expenses—your grocery shopping and casual clothes don't count
• Entertainment costs—client dinners are mostly off-limits
• Fines and penalties—the ATO won't help you pay your speeding tickets

“Claiming deductions is one of the easiest ways to reduce your taxable income,” says Tish. “But it must be legitimate and well-documented.”

Want the full rundown on what you can and can't claim? Check out our complete guide on tax deductions.

3. How do I do my tax return in Australia?

(217,310 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

You can complete your tax return yourself or through a registered tax agent.

Tish Bhagwandeen is clear on this recommendation:

“I always suggest using a registered tax agent. They'll make sure everything's done correctly, help you claim every deduction you're entitled to, and give you extra time to get it all sorted.”

Here's what a good tax agent brings to the table:

• They understand the rules thoroughly
• They'll identify deductions you probably missed
• You get extended time to lodge your return
• They'll handle ATO communications if issues arise
• You have peace of mind knowing it's done properly

Doing it yourself? Use MyGov for individual or sole trader returns. For other business types, you'll need special software or paper forms—though paper forms come with a higher risk of errors and delays!

4. How do I get or find my tax file number (TFN)?

(108,470 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

Need help finding your TFN? It's more common than you might think, and there are a few ways to retrieve it.

If you're an individual, the MyGov Portal is your first step. Your TFN should be accessible there. For businesses and other entities, you'll need to use the business portal through RAM (Relationship Authorisation Manager).

“If you can't find it through the online portals, just call the ATO directly,” suggests Tish Bhagwandeen. “They're quite helpful when you need to track down your TFN or ask any tricky tax return questions.”

Need more help with TFNs? We've got a comprehensive guide on tax file numbers that covers everything you need to know.

5. When is tax time?

(105,560 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

Tax time in Australia runs on the financial year, which goes from July 1st to June 30th. Once June 30th passes, the tax time clock starts ticking.

Doing it yourself? You have until October 31st to submit your return. This deadline is firm, with no extensions available.

Using a tax agent? You might get until May 15th of the following year. But there are requirements—you need to be on your agent's books before October 31st, and you can't be behind on previous returns.

“The extended deadline is valuable, but don't use it as an excuse to delay preparation. Getting organised early always pays off.” - Tish Bagwadeen 

Have more tax questions about deadlines? Check out our guide on tax due dates for information on other important dates.

6. How to pay tax?

(80,960 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

Once you've calculated how much you owe, you have several convenient payment options available.

BPAY is often the easiest option. Use biller code 75556 and make sure you include your payment reference number (PRN)—that's how they identify your payment.

Online payments are convenient:

• Personal/sole traders: Log into myGov, link your account to the ATO, and pay through the portal
• Businesses: Use the ATO's online business services

Other payment methods:

• Direct bank transfer (details available on the ATO website)
• Phone payment on 1300 898 089
• In-person at Australia Post with cash or card

Still using cheques? The ATO is moving away from these, but if you must, ensure it's in Australian dollars, made out to “Deputy Commissioner of Taxation”, and marked “Not Negotiable.”

7. Do I have to pay tax on different types of income?

(61,410 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

Most income types are taxable. The ATO casts a wide net when it comes to what counts as taxable income.

“Even if something isn't taxable, you might still need to declare it on your return. It helps with other calculations and entitlements.” - Tish Bhagwandeen

What definitely gets taxed:

• Your salary or wages
• Business income
• Investment returns (interest, dividends, rental income)
• Capital gains from selling assets
• Foreign income (if you're an Australian resident)
• Money from trusts and partnerships
• Some government payments

What might not be taxable:

• Certain government pensions
• Child support payments
• Gifts and inheritances
• Some redundancy payments (within limits)

8. How long does tax return take?

(44,300 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

The time required to complete a tax return depends on several factors.

What affects timing:

• Your business structure (sole trader vs company makes a big difference)
• Number of income streams you have
• How organised your records are
• Accessibility of your financial documents

If you want to speed things up, take Tish’s advice:

“My biggest recommendation is using accounting software. When your information is accurate and easily accessible, everything moves much faster.”

Effort invested upfront saves time later. The more organised you are throughout the year, the smoother tax time will be.

9. How do I lodge my tax return?

(42,510 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

The lodgement process depends on your business structure.

Individual or sole trader? If you're confident about self-preparation, you can lodge through MyGov. For other business types, you'll need proper business reporting software or paper forms. Be careful, though—paper forms carry higher risks of errors and processing delays.

“Honestly, using a tax agent is often the smartest approach,” recommends Tish Bhagwandeen. “The expertise and peace of mind are invaluable.”

Have more tax return questions, or need step-by-step guidance? Our guide on how to lodge a tax return walks you through the entire process.

10. What are the new tax changes for 2025?

(37,990 combined monthly Google searches in Australia)

There's good news ahead! As part of the 2025-2026 Federal Budget, the Government has confirmed tax cuts that could reduce your tax burden.

• From July 2026, the 16% tax rate drops to 15%
• From July 2027, it drops further to 14%
• Instant Asset Write-Off continues at $20,000 for small businesses (turnover under $10 million)

"These changes represent real savings for Australian taxpayers. Smart business owners should factor this into their financial planning now." - Tish Bhagwandeen.

If you have tax questions about the coming financial year, check out our deep-dive article: Changes in the 2025-2026 Financial Year

Methodology

To compile this data-driven list, QuickBooks used Google Keyword Planner to conduct a quantitative analysis of Australian tax-related search behaviour. We focused on the period surrounding End of Financial Year (EOFY), when search volume for tax topics typically peaks.

The analysis included isolating high-volume queries containing relevant terms such as “tax return,” “EOFY,” “deductions,” and “ATO”. We then filtered results using geo-targeting tools to make sure that only searches originating from Australian users were captured.

Search volume data was averaged over a rolling 12-month window but weighted toward trends observed from May through July 2025. This was to align with common lodgement timelines and pre-lodgement tax planning.

To interpret the data, we grouped search queries into thematic categories using natural language pattern recognition to highlight recurring areas of confusion or interest. This helped us find key pain points and priorities for small business owners, sole traders, and individuals.

Examples of actual searched tax questions include:

• “When is the end of the financial year”
• “How to do a tax return”
• “Do I need an accountant for EOFY”
• “What deductions can I claim as a sole trader”
• “ATO deadline for business tax return”
• “What is a PAYG summary”

Sign up to QuickBooks today

Tax time doesn’t need to be stressful. With QuickBooks accounting software and QuickBooks Online Advanced, you can streamline your record-keeping and get your finances EOFY-ready.

Whether you're a sole trader or managing a growing team, QuickBooks helps you stay compliant, confident and in control.