Tax Return Records Checklist: What to Give Your Accountant

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Give your accountant a complete picture of your income, deductions and transactions. Prefilled information is helpful but does not replace checking your own records. This checklist is suitable for preparing your 2025–26 return; use the records and rules for the year actually being lodged.

Income and personal details

• Confirm contact details, bank account, residency changes and relevant family circumstances.
• Bring income statements, investment distributions, interest, dividends and foreign income records.
• Identify income from contracting, a side business or online platforms.
• Tell us about income or transactions missing from prefilled information.

Keep an explanation for anything unusual, such as a departure from Australia, a business start or a substantial one-off receipt. These facts can change the questions your accountant needs to ask.

Deductions and work records

Provide invoices, receipts and the basis for the business or work-related portion of expenses. Where a substantiation exception applies, you still need an entitlement to the deduction and a reasonable calculation. “No receipt” and “automatic deduction” are both poor starting assumptions.

For home working, retain the hours and expense evidence required by your chosen method; see our working-from-home guide. For car claims, include travel records and a logbook where required. The ATO deductions guidance outlines the claim categories.

Investments, rental property and super

• Purchase and sale statements for shares, property and crypto, including costs and corporate actions.
• Rental income, agent statements, interest, expenses and periods of private use.
• Records supporting carried-forward losses and earlier asset cost bases.
• Personal super contribution evidence, your notice of intent and the fund’s acknowledgment.
• Details of foreign assets, accounts or distributions needing review.

Do not discard acquisition records just because a purchase occurred years ago. The ATO’s CGT record guidance explains why these records can be needed through disposal and beyond.

If you operate a business

Provide reconciled accounts, bank and loan statements, payroll, BAS records, asset purchases and stock information. Highlight private drawings, related-party transactions and any trust distributions. Keep supporting documents in addition to the bookkeeping totals.

Confirm the deadline and retain the records

Ask your accountant to confirm your actual lodgment date. A tax agent’s deadline depends on eligibility and your lodgment history; do not assume every return has an automatic extension.

ATO guidance generally requires individuals to retain tax records for five years after lodgment, with longer periods possible for assets, losses, disputes or other circumstances. Store readable electronic copies securely and ask before deleting older records. Preparing a short list of missing items helps us resolve gaps before lodgment.

Discuss your circumstances

Stewart Private Accounting helps business owners in Perth and across Australia with accounting and tax support. Contact our team to discuss the records, scope and fees for your work.

This guide provides general information current at the update date. The treatment depends on your circumstances and the applicable income or FBT year.