How much does a sole trader tax return cost?

From $200 at MAS, prepared and lodged online by a registered tax agent, including the business schedule. Complex situations (GST, multiple activities, vehicles with logbooks) are quoted before we start.

I also had a job this year. Does that complicate things?

No, it's very common. Employment income and ABN income go in the same return; the schedule keeps the business side organised. Withholding from your job often offsets part of the business tax.

For ABN earners

Sole trader tax returns with the business side done right

Q: Do sole traders lodge a separate business return?

No. Your business income and expenses go into a business schedule inside your individual tax return. One return covers your employment income (if any) and your ABN income together.

Q: What can sole traders claim?

Expenses related to earning your business income: tools and equipment, business vehicle use, home office running costs, phone and internet business portion, insurance, training and accounting fees, among others, always with records.

Q: Why did the ATO send me PAYG instalments?

Once your business tax bills become regular, the ATO moves you to quarterly prepayments so the annual bill doesn't arrive all at once. We check the amounts are right for your real income and adjust them when they aren't.

Your ABN income deserves more than a guess: business schedule, deductions for your trade and PAYG instalments handled by a registered agent, fully online.

With ABN income from $200

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The short answer

As a sole trader you don't lodge a separate business return: your ABN income and expenses go in a business schedule inside your individual return. Done properly it captures deductions employees never see: vehicle, home office, tools, insurance. From $200, fully online.

What we handle

The parts DIY returns get wrong

Business schedule, complete

Income, expenses and depreciation organised the way the ATO expects, whether you brought a spreadsheet or a shoebox.

Trade-specific deductions

Tradies, drivers, cleaners, freelancers and creators claim different things. We apply what fits your work. See Tax Deductions.

Vehicle claims that survive

Cents-per-km or logbook, chosen for your real usage and documented so the claim holds if questioned.

Home office done properly

Running costs apportioned with the method that gives you the best defensible result.

PAYG instalments tuned

Quarterly prepayments checked against your real income, so you're not lending the ATO money or building a debt.

GST and BAS if registered

Registered for GST? Your BAS and your return reconciled together, no double-ups, no gaps.

Earning well? The return is a good moment to check your structure

When ABN profit grows into the higher brackets, a company often saves real money and protects your assets. We flag it when your numbers suggest it, and manage the switch if you choose it.

Sole Trader vs Company

Freelancer reviewing an approved sole trader tax summary in a home studio

Tax time, relaxed

Your tax return, filed with confidence

Business schedule complete, deductions matched to your trade, instalments tuned to reality.

Sole trader return FAQ

Quick answers

Do sole traders lodge a separate business return?

No. Business income and expenses go in a schedule inside your individual return. One return covers employment income (if any) and ABN income together.

How much does it cost?

From $200, prepared and lodged online by a registered agent, business schedule included. Complex cases (GST, several activities, logbooks) are quoted before we start.

What can sole traders claim?

Expenses related to earning your business income: tools, business vehicle use, home office, phone/internet business portion, insurance, training, accounting fees. Always with records. Full guide: Tax Deductions.

Why did the ATO send me PAYG instalments?

Regular tax bills move you to quarterly prepayments. We check the amounts fit your real income and adjust them when they don't.

I also had a job this year. Problem?

Not at all, it's the most common case. Both incomes go in the same return, and your job's withholding often offsets part of the business tax.

Your tax return, filed properly

From $200 with a registered tax agent, fully online, English y español.

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