CPA Australia is urging taxpayers to wait until their income information has been finalised before lodging their 2026 tax returns, warning that rushing the process can increase the risk of errors and leave people more vulnerable to scams.
CPA Australia Tax Lead Jenny Wong said taxpayers should resist the temptation to lodge as soon as tax time begins.
“Getting your tax return done early can be tempting, but it’s important not to rush,” Wong said.
“Waiting until all your income information has been finalised and pre-filled by the ATO will help ensure accuracy and reduce the risk of errors that can trigger reviews or delays. According to the ATO, the best time to do this is in late July.”
Wong said ATO data indicated more taxpayers were taking a measured approach to lodging their returns.
“ATO figures show that by 22 July last year, 2.8 million individual tax returns had been lodged, which was a 4 per cent decrease compared to the same time the previous year,” she said.
“By 12 August, around 5 million returns had been lodged, also slightly down on the prior year, with agent-lodged returns in particular trailing behind.
“This suggests more taxpayers may already be taking a more cautious approach, which is encouraging.”
She said taxpayers should ensure they had all relevant records before lodging, particularly when claiming deductions.
“Taking shortcuts or guessing figures can not only lead to incorrect claims but may also result in having to amend your return later,” she said.
“Spending a bit more time upfront can save time, stress and potential penalties down the track.”
The warning follows ATO figures showing more than 595,000 individual tax returns were adjusted last financial year because of omitted income, overstated deductions and other discrepancies.
“The ATO has also found taxpayers who lodge before pre-fill data is available are more than twice as likely to need amendments,” Wong said.
“This highlights the risks of lodging too early and reinforces the importance of waiting until your information is complete.”
CPA Australia is also urging taxpayers to be alert to scams during tax time, when criminals often impersonate the ATO or tax agents.
“Tax time is a peak period for scam activity,” Wong warned.
“Scammers use email, text messages and phone calls impersonating the ATO or tax agents to trick people into handing over personal information or money.”
She urged taxpayers not to respond to unsolicited requests for personal information or click links in unexpected messages.
“If something doesn’t seem right, pause and verify the source. Access official services through the ATO website or app, or contact your registered tax agent directly,” she said.
“With increasingly sophisticated scams, a moment of caution can prevent significant financial harm.”
Wong said taxpayers with complex tax affairs or who were unsure of their obligations should consider seeking professional advice.
“Professional advice can provide peace of mind and help ensure you are complying with the rules while claiming everything you’re entitled to,” Wong added.
“Ultimately, a careful and informed approach is the best way to achieve a correct and timely outcome this time.”
More information about scams, cyber safety and identity protection is available on the ATO website.
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