What happens after you lodge your tax return

Published: 10 August 2025

After you lodge your tax return and it’s been processed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). What happens next depends on your personal circumstances.

Once the ATO have processed your tax return any of the following will happen:

  • you get a tax refund
  • you get a tax bill
  • if you got Family Tax Benefit (FTB), Child Care Subsidy (CCS), or pay child support the ATO will send us your income details.

Then we can:

  • balance your FTB and CCS payments
  • check if you’re owed a top up or eligible for supplements
  • check if you have a debt with us or the ATO
  • if you pay child support, we’ll send your new assessment.

Find out more about what to do after you lodge.

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Page last updated: 10 August 2025.
QC 83035