Australians Urged Not to Rush 2026 Tax Returns as Scam Risks Rise

Australians are being urged to resist the temptation to lodge their 2026 tax returns as soon as possible, with tax experts warning that rushing the process could lead to costly mistakes and expose taxpayers to increasingly sophisticated scams.

CPA Australia says while many people are eager to receive a tax refund, waiting until all income information has been finalised and pre-filled by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is the safest and most accurate approach.

Jenny Wong, Tax Lead at CPA Australia, said patience during tax season could save taxpayers from unnecessary amendments, delays and potential penalties.

“Getting your tax return done early can be tempting, but it’s important not to rush,” Ms 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.”

The warning comes as new ATO figures show Australians appear to be taking a more measured approach to lodging their returns.

By 22 July last year, approximately 2.8 million individual tax returns had been lodged, representing a four per cent decline compared with the same period the previous year. By 12 August, around five million returns had been submitted, with tax agent lodgements also slightly behind previous levels.

Ms Wong said the trend suggested more Australians were waiting for their information to be complete before lodging.

She encouraged taxpayers to gather all necessary documentation and avoid estimating figures 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 ATO recently revealed that more than 595,000 individual tax returns required adjustment during the last financial year because of omitted income, inflated deductions and other discrepancies.

According to CPA Australia, taxpayers who lodge before ATO pre-fill information becomes available are more than twice as likely to require amendments to their returns.

Beyond accuracy, CPA Australia is warning Australians to remain alert to a surge in tax-time scams.

Fraudsters commonly impersonate the ATO or registered tax agents through emails, text messages and phone calls, attempting to convince victims to hand over personal information, banking details or money.

“Tax time is a peak period for scam activity,” Ms Wong said.

“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 advised taxpayers to ignore unexpected messages requesting sensitive information and instead access ATO services directly through the official website or app or contact their registered tax agent.

“If something doesn’t seem right, pause and verify the source,” she said.

“With increasingly sophisticated scams, a moment of caution can prevent significant financial harm.”

CPA Australia also recommends that taxpayers with complex financial affairs or uncertainty about their obligations consider engaging a registered tax agent to help maximise legitimate deductions while ensuring compliance with tax laws.

Ms Wong said taking a careful, informed approach remained the best strategy during the 2026 tax season.

“Professional advice can provide peace of mind and help ensure you are complying with the rules while claiming everything you’re entitled to,” she said.

“Ultimately, a careful and informed approach is the best way to achieve a correct and timely outcome this time.”