Your Complete 2025 Tax Return Checklist for Individuals

Why a Checklist Matters for Your 2025-26 Individual Tax Return?

Preparing an Australian tax return can feel overwhelming, especially when new deduction rates and record-keeping rules change each year. A well-structured checklist streamlines the process: it tells you exactly what information to gather now so you avoid last-minute scrambles and costly omissions later. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) also reminds taxpayers they must retain supporting records—receipts, logbooks, statements—for at least five years, so an upfront system for collecting them is essential.

Client Checklist - Individual - Final - 2025.06.pdf

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Inside the Lynden Group 2025-26 Checklist

The checklist you’ve downloaded is divided into three core sections:

A. General Information, B. Income, and C. Expenses—with practical endnotes clarifying residency, dependants and car-expense rules. It begins with personal data (TFN, spouse details, banking information) and flags when returning clients can simply write “Unchanged” to save time.

Each subsequent section lists the exact documents to attach: PAYG summaries, rental statements, dividend notices, logbooks, private-health statements and more, all grouped in the order your accountant will enter them into the return.

Capturing Every Dollar of Income

Section B guides you to collate all income streams for 1 July 2025–30 June 2026: salary, business earnings, bank interest, share dividends, cryptocurrency trades and overseas income. For property investors, the checklist prompts you to supply agent summaries and purchase-and-sale contracts. Providing these documents early means your adviser can reconcile them against ATO pre-fill data and reduce the risk of mismatch letters or audit queries.

Claiming Deductions the ATO Will Accept

Section C focuses on deductions and credits:

• Work-related car travel – claim up to 5,000 km at 88 ¢ per km for 2025-26 under the cents-per-kilometre method; keep a diary showing how you calculated the distance.

• Working-from-home costs – the new fixed-rate method allows 70 ¢ per hour, but you must maintain a timesheet or diary for the whole year.

• Private health insurance – attach your annual statement so any rebate or surcharge is calculated correctly.

• Rental-property depreciation – a quantity-surveyors’ schedule can unlock significant claims on fixtures and capital works.

The checklist lists every supporting receipt—equipment, professional memberships, travel diaries—so legitimate deductions aren’t overlooked or disallowed.

How to Use the Checklist for a Stress-Free Lodgement

Download the form, set up a digital folder, and drop each item in as soon as it arrives (payslips, dividend statements, utility bills, etc.). Cross-check against the three sections before forwarding everything to your tax agent. This proactive approach not only shortens turnaround times but can also uncover extra deductions you may have missed.

Finally, archive the entire package—electronically or in hard copy—for five years to satisfy ATO substantiation rules. If you have questions while completing the checklist, reach out to our team; we’re here to ensure your 2025-26 return is accurate, compliant and optimised.

For a faster and paperless experience, clients can complete their tax return information using our secure online electronic checklist and data lodgement form. Simply visit Lynden Group’s Individual Tax Return Form to upload your documents, enter your details, and submit everything directly to your accountant—no printing or scanning required.