EOFY Tax Checklist for Individuals (2025-26): What to Do Before 30 June
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Primary tax-year context: 2025-26
This article is general information only. We maintain pages using primary-source checks and date-based reviews. See editorial policy.
General information only. This is not tax or financial advice. Consult a registered tax agent for advice specific to your situation.
The end of the financial year is the last practical window to take actions that reduce your 2025-26 taxable income. Once 1 July arrives, most of these options close until the next cycle. This checklist covers the main items worth reviewing before 30 June.
Bring forward deductible expenses
If you have expenses that are deductible and you were planning to pay them soon anyway, paying before 30 June means the deduction falls in the current year.
- Prepay union or professional association fees for up to 12 months in advance
- Prepay income protection insurance premiums (outside of super)
- Purchase work-related equipment under $300 for an immediate deduction, or above $300 if you want to start depreciating this year
- Pay for self-education courses or materials related to your current employment before 30 June
The key test is that the expense must have a genuine connection to earning your income. Timing a legitimate expense is fine; manufacturing a deduction is not.
Top up super before the concessional cap
The concessional contributions cap for 2025-26 is $30,000. This includes employer super guarantee, salary sacrifice, and any personal contributions you claim as a deduction.
- Check your year-to-date concessional contributions via your super fund or myGov
- If you have unused cap amounts from prior years (back to 2018-19), you may be able to carry them forward if your total super balance was under $500,000 at the previous 30 June
- Personal deductible contributions must be received by your fund before 30 June, not just sent. Allow processing time.
- If making a personal deductible contribution, you will need to lodge a Notice of Intent to Claim with your fund before lodging your tax return (or before the contribution is moved)
Review your work-from-home records
If you have been claiming work-from-home deductions, the ATO requires specific records depending on the method you use.
- Fixed rate method (67 cents per hour): You need a record of actual hours worked from home for the full year. A timesheet, roster, diary, or similar log is expected.
- Actual cost method: You need records of actual expenses (electricity, internet, phone, depreciation) and a reasonable basis for calculating the work-related portion.
If your records are incomplete, now is the time to reconstruct what you can while the year is still current. Starting a log for the remaining weeks is better than having nothing.
Check your private health insurance status
If your income for MLS purposes is above $101,000 (single) or $202,000 (family) for 2025-26, you may be liable for the Medicare Levy Surcharge unless you hold appropriate private hospital cover.
- Confirm your policy includes hospital cover, not just extras
- Check the excess is within the allowed limits ($750 single, $1,500 family)
- If you have been without cover for part of the year, getting cover now reduces the number of days the surcharge applies
Review your HELP/HECS balance
HELP repayments are calculated on your repayment income for the full year. If you are close to a repayment threshold, certain actions (like salary sacrifice into super) could move you below a threshold and reduce the compulsory repayment percentage.
- Check your current HELP balance via myGov
- Understand that voluntary repayments no longer attract a bonus discount (that ended in 2017)
- If you are expecting a lump sum payment (bonus, leave payout), factor in how it affects your repayment income
Gather receipts and records
Do not leave this until you sit down to lodge. Spend an hour before 30 June collecting:
- Work-related expense receipts (tools, uniforms, travel)
- Donation receipts from registered deductible gift recipients
- Private health insurance statement (your insurer issues this after 30 June, but check previous year details now)
- Income from all sources: bank interest, dividends, rental income, gig economy work
- Records of any assets sold during the year (for capital gains tax purposes)
Action items before 30 June
- Check year-to-date super contributions against the $30,000 cap
- Make any personal deductible super contribution with enough lead time for processing
- Prepay deductible expenses you were planning to pay soon
- Confirm WFH hours log is complete or start one now
- Review private health cover if income is above MLS thresholds
- Collect and organise receipts for work-related expenses and donations
- Check HELP balance and consider whether salary sacrifice affects repayment thresholds
Key dates
- 30 June 2026 — Last day of the 2025-26 income year. Most actions must be completed (or funds received by your super fund) by this date.
- 31 October 2026 — Self-lodgement deadline for individual tax returns (unless using a registered tax agent with concessional dates).
Next step
- Estimate your likely refund or liability with the Tax Return Calculator
- Check your overall tax position with the Income Tax Calculator
This is general information only. Rules and thresholds can change. Check with the ATO or a registered tax agent for your specific situation.