OK, so your tax return is finished and has been lodged by Etax to the ATO. Now you’re wondering how long it will take until you receive your hard-earned tax refund, right?
We know waiting for your tax refund is frustrating, and chances are it’s already on its way. However, it’s important to bear in mind that sometimes there are delays at the ATO, especially in July.
Did you know, the ATO processes the bulk of the nation’s finances during July? That’s pretty incredible when you think about it.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the average waiting periods between ATO lodgement and your tax refund arriving in your bank account. Plus, a few reasons why it can sometimes take a little longer.
How long does a refund take to process?
The tax refund process is usually quite fast. And for that reason, it’s not a good idea to visit a “same day refund” agent.
Electronic tax returns are the quickest, normally processed by the ATO within two weeks. Etax expects that most refunds will be out within 10 working days after lodgement of your tax return, but some people have to wait longer before their refund is processed.
Paper returns are much slower, taking 10 weeks.
How long does it take to get my tax return done at Etax?
You can finish your tax return easily online, in just minutes, at Etax.com.au. With no appointments or waiting, you can join tens of thousands of Australians who use our number one online tax return service anywhere, any time. What’s more, you’ll have year-round access to qualified Etax accountant advice, via Live Chat, My Messages or over the phone.
When you need your tax refund in a hurry and want to avoid ATO delays, make sure all your details are correct. Prepare your receipts early and only claim eligible tax deductions to avoid ATO complications that will slow down your refund.
Common reasons for a tax refund delay
While it’s your tax agent’s job to help you check, maximise and lodge your tax return to the ATO in a timely manner, there are some reasons out of our control, that may cause a delay in your tax refund.
For example, if you:
- didn’t include all your income sources,
- added unusual deductions for someone in your industry,
- have an insolvency account and owe money,
- owe money to child support or another government agency,
- have an outstanding ATO debt,
- were just unlucky and the ATO decided to audit returns in your industry or with your type of deductions. (For example, last year the ATO was paying close attention to uniform deductions, people with car claims and people with rental property deductions).
Note: Tax returns are only ever held up by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), not your tax agent. At Etax we want you to get your tax refund as quick as possible, so it’s never in our interest to slow things down. Rather, it’s our job to work with you to overcome any delays caused by the ATO and get your tax refund back and into your bank account.
Check your tax return progress
Track the status of your Etax return by logging into your Etax account and navigating to the ‘My Tax Return Status’ page.
Your return progresses through the following stages:
1) Initial Review
Your return is checked for missing or incorrect information or attachments. At this stage ,we will also reply to any messages you have sent us and get in touch if we need to clarify anything with you.
2) Final Review
One of our friendly accountants double checks your return for errors or possible missed deductions to ensure you get the best possible tax refund. With Etax on your side you can be confident your tax return is lodged correctly.
3) Lodged
When our reviews are complete, your return is quickly lodged with the ATO. It generally takes 14–30 days for the ATO to process returns and issue refunds.
- Please note: The ATO does not accept enquiries about your return until 30 days after lodgement.
4) Refund
Your tax return status changes to ‘Refund’ when your refund has been transferred. We transfer your tax refund to your nominated bank account the same day we receive it from the ATO. However, please allow up to three working days for the funds to clear in your account, as some banks take a bit more time to process payments.
What can I do if my tax refund is delayed?
First, wait 30 days from your tax return lodgement date. The ATO won’t take enquiries about delayed refunds until a minimum of one month has passed.
After that, get in touch with us. We can contact the ATO on your behalf to chase up your tax refund, and act on your behalf if the ATO needs any additional information before finalising your return.
