Cost guide · 2026
A registered tax agent charges roughly $100–$300 for a standard individual return in Australia — rising to $300–$600 once you add a rental property, shares, or a sole-trader business schedule.
| Component | Typical range |
|---|---|
Standard individual return Salary/wages with everyday work-related deductions; agent-prepared and lodged. | $100 – $300 |
With rental property Per property — rental schedule, depreciation and apportionment of expenses. | +$100 – $250 |
With shares / managed funds Capital gains events and dividend/franking reconciliation add time. | +$50 – $200 |
Sole trader / ABN schedule Adds a business schedule, income reconciliation and often GST/BAS. | $300 – $600 total |
Indicative 2026 market ranges, not a quote. Always confirm your price in writing before work begins.
One PAYG payslip is a quick return. Add a rental, a share portfolio and some crypto and the agent has three more sets of records to reconcile — each adds to the fee.
A tidy summary of work expenses is fast to process. A shoebox of receipts the agent has to sort takes longer and costs more — do the sorting yourself to keep the fee down.
A TPB-registered tax agent can lodge on your behalf, gives you until May the following year (not October), and is accountable for the return — that expertise is what you're paying for over free myGov lodgement.
Late or multiple overdue returns cost more than a single on-time year, because each year is a separate return — but an agent can often get penalties remitted, which offsets the fee.
Compare on verified client reviews and checked credentials, not price alone. A “TPB Verified” badge means we’ve confirmed the accountant’s registration against the Tax Practitioners Board register.
A registered tax agent typically charges $100–$300 for a standard individual tax return in 2026, depending on your deductions and how many income sources the return has to cover. Add a rental property or a sole-trader schedule and it usually runs $300–$600.
For a simple salary-only return, myGov is free and fine. Once you have deductions, investments, rental income or a business, a registered agent usually finds enough extra deductions — and avoids enough mistakes — to more than cover their fee, which is itself deductible next year.
Yes. The cost of managing your tax affairs, including fees paid to a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge your return, is deductible in the income year you pay it. Keep the invoice and claim it next year.
Fees vary with the complexity of your return, whether the agent is a registered tax agent (they can lodge for you and access later deadlines), and how organised your records are. Compare a few agents on reviews and credentials, not on the headline price alone.
Not automatically — but a good agent claims every deduction you're entitled to and applies offsets correctly, which often produces a larger legitimate refund than a rushed DIY return. They also keep you out of trouble with the ATO, which is worth more than a few dollars of refund.
MAC Tax Preparation Services provides accounting and tax advisory services to individuals and businesses across Australia, with offices in Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Brisbane. They offer tax return preparation, bookkeeping, GST declarations, STP reporting, and financial investment advice, with services available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Z Wealth Group is an accounting and tax advisory firm offering taxation, accounting, financial planning, lending and wealth advice to individuals, families, business owners and investors. They operate from offices in Gregory Hills, Penrith and Liverpool, serving South West Sydney, Western Sydney and clients Australia-wide.
I-Finance Services provides tax agent and bookkeeping services to individuals and small businesses. They offer income tax return preparation, bookkeeping, payroll processing, and mortgage broking services with a focus on personal service and making financial management straightforward.
Freshwater Taxation is an accountancy firm based in Freshwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches, specializing in personal tax, business tax, bookkeeping, and virtual CFO services for individuals and small businesses across Australia. They offer personalized tax preparation and financial planning services delivered remotely, with a focus on investors, established business owners, and high-income professionals.
ML Tax Solution is a Melbourne-based accounting firm providing quality accounting services and tax advice to small to medium enterprises and high net worth clients. The firm is a registered agent of the ATO and ASIC, and a member of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants.
Family-owned accounting practice providing individual and small business tax services. They offer tax returns, business compliance, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax advisory services.