Key facts
- Online returns
- About two weeks (the ATO says 10 to 12 business days)
- Returns needing manual processing
- Up to 30 calendar days
- Paper returns
- Up to 10 weeks (50 business days)
- Paper returns showing in ATO systems
- Can take up to 7 weeks
- Check progress
- ATO online services through myGov, the ATO app or your agent
- ATO phone line
- 13 28 65, with your tax file number ready
ATO processing times for 2025-26 returns
Most returns lodged online, through myTax or a tax agent, are processed in about two weeks. The ATO's own pages give two figures: one says most online returns process within 10 business days, another says within 12 business days. If your return needs manual processing, it can take up to 30 calendar days.
Paper returns are much slower. They can take up to 10 weeks (50 business days) to process, and up to 7 weeks just to appear in the ATO's systems.
Worked example: you lodge online on Monday 2 November 2026. Ten business days later is Monday 16 November, and 12 business days later is Wednesday 18 November. The same return lodged on paper could take until around 11 January 2027, or a few days later once the Christmas and New Year public holidays are counted.
Why is my tax refund taking longer?
Some returns are stopped for a closer look, and some refunds are reduced before they are paid. The ATO lists these common causes, and any one of them can push a return past the usual timeframe.
Many of them are avoidable. Keeping your bank details current and lodging once, correctly, removes the most common delays you can control.
- Lodging again, or amending, before the original return is finalised
- Lodging several years of returns at once
- Bankruptcy, a debt agreement or other insolvency
- Bank account details that aren't current
- Checks with employers, banks, health insurers or you
- Other agencies such as Services Australia or Child Support claiming part of the refund, or an existing tax debt
How to check the progress of your tax return
Sign in to myGov, go to the ATO, choose Manage tax returns and select the income year. In the ATO app, log in and select your tax return for 2025-26. Your tax agent can also check for you.
You can phone the ATO on 13 28 65 with your tax file number ready and choose option 1, then option 1. The ATO notes that calling won't speed up a return that is being processed manually.
What the status messages mean
ATO online services shows a status for each return. The status tells you whether the return is moving or waiting on something.
If you see Cancelled transaction, the return may be on hold for 24 to 48 hours. Don't lodge again, and allow up to two weeks before following up.
- In progress, Processing: being processed, or close to finalised with an estimated date
- In progress, Balancing account: the ATO is reconciling your accounts
- In progress, Information pending: the ATO is collecting information and may contact you
- In progress, Under review: a manual check is under way
- Issued: the notice of assessment has been issued
Can you speed up a refund?
Lodge online rather than on paper, and check your bank account details before you lodge. Don't lodge a second time or amend while the first return is still being processed, because both slow things down.
If you are in financial difficulty or serious hardship, the ATO says priority processing may be available. Otherwise, the most useful thing is to wait out the stated timeframe before chasing it.
When to get help
If your return has been Under review for longer than 30 days, or the ATO has written asking for information, a tax agent can help. Your agent can see the same status and deal with the ATO for you.
Acquire Strategic Accounting is a registered tax agent in Brisbane, with offices in Victoria Point and Jimboomba. We can check where your return is up to.
Related questions
Why does my tax return say Cancelled transaction?
It can mean the return is on hold for 24 to 48 hours. The ATO says not to lodge again, and to allow up to two weeks before following up.
Can the ATO keep part of my tax refund?
Yes. If you have an existing tax debt, or another agency such as Services Australia or Child Support has a claim, part or all of your refund may be used to pay it.
Will calling the ATO speed up my refund?
No. The ATO says phoning won't speed up a return that is being processed manually. Checking ATO online services or the ATO app shows you the same status.
Is a refund slower if I use a tax agent?
Tax agents lodge electronically, so the online processing timeframe of about two weeks applies. What usually slows a return is something in it, such as an ATO check, a debt or wrong bank details, rather than who lodged it.
Sources
General information only, current at 31 October 2026. It does not take your circumstances into account. Rates and thresholds change, so check with us or the ATO before you act.
