Defence tax return questions
Straight answers to what Defence members actually ask us — about our fees, your refund, postings, and returns you have not got around to yet.
About DefenceTax
Are you a registered tax agent?
Yes. We are a registered tax agent, Tax Agent Number 55961005. Every return we prepare is checked by a registered agent before it is lodged with the ATO, and you can verify any tax agent on the Tax Practitioners Board register.
Do you look after all three services?
Yes — Army, Navy and Air Force, serving and ex-serving. We work with Defence members right across Australia, not just Victoria, because returns are prepared and lodged electronically.
Do I have to come into your office?
No. You can send everything through securely online and never set foot in the office. If you would rather talk it through with someone, you can book an appointment instead.
Fees and refunds
Do you take your fee out of my refund?
No. We do not deduct our fee from your refund. Keeping the two separate means you can see exactly what the ATO paid you with nothing taken out along the way, and your refund goes straight into your nominated bank account. You pay our fee directly when your return is prepared.
What does it cost?
Express Tax Upload is $165 and a booked appointment is $230. Returns involving a rental property, share trading or crypto can mean additional work — we will tell you before anything is lodged, not after.
Can I claim your fee next year?
Yes. What you pay a registered tax agent to prepare your return is deductible in the year you pay it, so this year's fee goes into next year's return. Keep the receipt, or just tell us and we will carry it forward for you.
Your circumstances
I was posted interstate during the year. Does that complicate things?
No. Income tax in Australia is federal, so a single return covers the whole financial year no matter how many postings or states were involved. Send us all your income statements for the year and we will put them together.
I have not lodged for a few years. Can you help?
Yes, and it is far more common than people think. We handle multiple overdue years together rather than one at a time, and in many cases people turn out to be owed money rather than in trouble.
I have a rental property, or I trade shares or crypto.
We handle all of these. If your return includes a rental property, share trading or crypto, book an appointment rather than using Express Tax Upload so we can go through the detail with you and make sure nothing is missed.
What do I actually need to send you?
Your income statement for the year, your bank details for the refund, and records for anything you want to claim. Our free Defence tax checklist walks through what to gather before you start.
Still looking for something?
For what you can and cannot claim, see our Defence tax deductions guide. For how lodging online works and how long a refund takes, see lodge your tax online. Overdue years are covered on our multi-year late tax page. Anything else, call us on 0418 327 096.
Ready to start your return?
Upload your documents online, or book a time to talk it through.