Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
“What’s the best way to do my tax return?”
Choosing between myGov, Etax, and a traditional tax agent comes down to how much support you want, how complex your situation is, and how large a refund you’re after. This guide compares all three so you can decide with confidence which option is best for you.
Key Takeaways
- Most Australians use a tax agent despite ATO ads pushing myTax.
- People who use myTax often get smaller refunds because it’s hard to find and claim every deduction you deserve.
- A tax agent’s job is to maximise your refund and keep you out of trouble, whereas the ATO’s job is to collect revenue.
- Tax agent fees can be claimed as a deduction the following year.
The ATO advertises myTax, a tax lodgement tool inside the myGov website, but it’s just one of several options available to you.
As a taxpayer, you might not know where to start. What tax return method gives the best result, and what are the alternatives?
Let’s compare the most popular tax return options including the ATO’s myTax…
Etax Online Tax Agent
- Do your tax return online in minutes
- Choose the sections you need and hide the ones you don’t, for less reading
- Deduction tips based on your job help boost your refund
- See your deductions from last year as a reminder
- Live chat or phone with a real accountant
- Phone support staff are all degree-qualified accountants
- A registered tax agent checks your return before lodging with the ATO
- Confidence that your taxes were checked and done right
- Expert support for ATO audits, letters, or amended returns
- A tax agent’s job is to maximise your refund
- Low fees that are tax-deductible
- All taxpayers: students, first jobs to high-income executives, sole traders, etc.
- Australia’s top-rated tax agent
ATO myTax
- Must register all personal details on myGov before you can access myTax
- Looks simple at first, but finding every deduction you deserve is genuinely difficult
- On average, people get smaller refunds using myTax
- No support and no one there who’s on your side
- No checking from a tax agent, no way to know if you’ve done it correctly
- If you make a mistake, the ATO will change your return (often reducing your refund) — you’ll need a tax agent to fix it
- Using myTax, you are on your own if the ATO comes knocking
- The ATO’s real job is to collect more tax, not maximise your refund
- Free
- Simple tax situations only
Old-Fashioned Tax Agent Office
- Appointment and travel often take an hour or more
- Must bring all tax documents, hope you don’t leave anything at home
- You get advice only during the appointment
- Typically little or no support after your appointment
- You may not even get advice from a real, qualified accountant
- Your return is done during your appointment
- Advertised prices are low, but the real amount you pay is usually much higher
- General taxpayers willing to travel
Who uses a tax agent service?
Most Australians do!
In fact, most Australian tax returns are lodged with a tax agent.
The ATO clearly wants more people using myTax, but how do they promote that message?
The ATO spends your taxpayer money on advertising, “market research”, and public relations. This includes paid newspaper articles, social media campaigns, and email marketing. They even put curriculum into schools where kids do assignments about myGov. All of this is detailed in the ATO’s annual report.
The ATO keeps repeating the message that everyone should use myTax.
That’s surprising, because most Australians still prefer to use a registered tax agent like Etax.
People use a tax agent service because…
- Confidence your return is done right
- A tax agent is looking out for your interests, helping you avoid ATO trouble and trying to improve your tax refund
- The ATO’s rules are so complex that only an expert has time to take it all in
- Using an agent is easier and faster than navigating it yourself
- It is affordable, and the fees are tax-deductible
- You can use a mobile app to save receipts and documents to your Etax account, so you will remember to claim at tax time
The ATO’s main job is to collect taxes, not maximise your refund
If you paid for work-related expenses that could get you a better refund, the ATO won’t help you claim them. They also won’t give you tax advice before you lodge your return.
The ATO has more than 20,000 employees whose job is to collect tax revenue, enforce tax laws, and catch your mistakes. The ATO issues new warnings almost every month about new “compliance priorities” and audit triggers.
An ATO audit is stressful, time-consuming and costly.
The ATO could make myTax work better for claiming deductions and getting the biggest tax refund you deserve, but they don’t.
How do most Australians do their tax return?
They use a tax agent like Etax. A tax agent’s job is to get you a fair go and make it easy for you. That’s why most of us ignore ATO ads telling us to use myTax.
Who do you trust with your taxes?
This is a question a lot of people ask. For many, the answer is Etax. It’s been around for 28 years, is 100% Australian, and it wins awards every year for outstanding customer service. When you use a tax agent like Etax, you get online convenience, personal service, plus the confidence that your return is correct.
And you get the best possible refund!
Focus on how to spend your tax refund and leave the tax homework to an expert
At Etax, we’re proud of our service, but don’t just take it from us! Here are some results from our 2025 client survey.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. However, “free” doesn’t always mean you come out ahead. Most people receive smaller refunds through myTax because the tool makes it difficult to identify and claim every deduction you’re entitled to. The cost of a tax agent is often outweighed by the extra refund they help you recover.
No. But most Australians choose to, because tax rules are complex and a registered agent is legally obligated to act in your best interests — something the ATO is not.
myGov is the federal government’s online account portal. myTax is the tax lodgement tool that sits inside it. To use myTax, you first need to set up and verify a myGov account, which takes additional time before you can even start your return.
The ATO can amend your return without notifying you, which often means a reduced refund or unexpected tax bill. To dispute or correct this, you would need to use a tax agent to lodge an amendment, which ends up costing you more than using an agent from the start.
Yes. Even if you’ve used myTax in previous years, you can switch to Etax at any time. Etax can also help you lodge amendments for previous returns if you believe you missed deductions.
Most Etax clients complete their return in 15-30 minutes. A registered tax agent reviews it before lodging with the ATO, usually within one business day.
If you lodged through myTax, you’ll need to handle the audit yourself or find a tax agent to help you — at additional cost and stress. Etax clients have ongoing support available for ATO audits, letters, and compliance queries, so you’re never left dealing with the ATO alone.
Australia’s ProductReview awarded Etax the “Most Satisfied Customers” Award for the past seven years
Reviews of Etax
Thousands of Etax clients post their ratings and reviews and it is truly rewarding for all of our people at Etax. We collect feedback and ideas from users, then get to work on improving every year. Thanks everyone for your feedback, ideas and support.
Too easy!
Easy to use, easy to follow, excellent service! Have used this service a number of times and it’s great. I don’t need to look anything up it’s all there for me.
-Jules in Tasmania, from ProductReview
Thank you to a great team of people who deliver the best service.
I have been doing my tax return with Etax Accountants since 2010, the process is simple and the guidelines easy to follow. Communication is efficient and prompt, very helpful and the service is amazing.
-Pamela, from Google Reviews
Easiest Tax Return Ever!
Easiest tax return I’ve ever done. Incredibly simple, step by step process that helps you get the maximum return you are fairly entitled to. I’ll be using this system every year from now on!
-Griffinlay99, from ProductReview
Easy to complete with excellent support
I have used Etax on a number of occasions over the years, Simple, Easy. I will never use another agent again. Very happy with the support and accountants are very helpful and thorough.
-L.Bonaddio in NT, from ProductReview
I’ve been using Etax for my last 6 returns!
The website is easy to use and they have a fantastic team to help and support you if required. There is a fantastic refund estimate tool that updates in real time which I love. They are quick, easy and hassle free. Highly recommended
-Ness76Adam P., from Google Reviews
