Source data
Australian Taxation Office tax return processing and status guidance
Sources checked
- 01Lodge online
Most online returns process within two weeks. Source 1
- 02Lodge on paper
A paper return can take up to seven weeks to show in the system and up to 10 weeks to process. Source 1
- 03Check progress
Use ATO online services through myGov or the ATO app. Source 1
- 04Wait for any additional checks
The ATO can carry out manual processing or request more information. Source 1
The route affects when the return appears and how long processing can take.
Australian Taxation Office tax return processing and status guidance
The timeframes describe different stages and use different units. The ATO guidance gives typical or indicative processing periods. It does not give a fixed completion date for each return.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Most online returns | Within two weeks | Time to process a typical online return | Source 1 |
| Online return needing manual processing | Up to 30 calendar days in the ATO guidance | Manual processing can extend the initial online timeframe | Source 1 |
| Paper return appearing in the system | Up to seven weeks | Time before the paper lodgement shows in ATO systems | Source 1 |
| Paper return processing | Up to 10 weeks, or 50 business days | Processing time for a paper return | Source 1 |
| Return requiring manual checks | May take longer | The ATO lists no fixed timeframe for every checked return | Source 1 |