You can lodge your own tax return through myGov at no cost, so it's fair to ask why most Australians still choose to use a registered tax agent. The honest answer is that good help usually pays for itself, not through anything clever, but through a return that's prepared correctly the first time and a professional you can lean on if something comes up.
You claim what you're actually entitled to
The biggest value an agent adds is knowing which deductions apply to your job and your circumstances, including the ones people routinely overlook. Pre-fill in myGov captures your income, but it doesn't know what you spent or whether you're eligible to claim it.
Just as importantly, a registered agent keeps you on the right side of the rules. That means claiming the deductions you're entitled to without over-claiming, which is exactly the kind of mistake that draws ATO attention. A few areas where the detail matters:
- Work-related car expenses, using either the cents-per-kilometre method (88c/km for 2025-26, capped at 5,000 business kilometres) or a logbook.
- Working-from-home costs, claimable at the fixed rate of 70c per hour for 2025-26, or via the actual-cost method.
- Self-education, tools, professional memberships and other costs that genuinely relate to earning your income.
More time to get it right
If you lodge yourself, your return is generally due by 31 October. Lodging through a registered tax agent usually gives you access to a later due date, provided you're on the agent's lodgement program before the October deadline.
That extra breathing room matters when your affairs take time to assemble, such as waiting on managed-fund statements, rental property records, or share trades. It's a deadline extension, not a free pass, so the sooner you're on our books, the better.
A professional in your corner if the ATO asks
The ATO data-matches against banks, employers, health funds, share registries and more, so mismatches do get queried. If that happens, having an agent who prepared your return means you're not facing it alone.
We help you understand what's being asked, gather the right substantiation, and respond properly. Knowing a qualified professional prepared and stands behind your return takes a lot of the worry out of tax time.
Fewer costly mistakes
Small errors can be expensive. Misreporting income or claiming something you can't substantiate may lead to an amended assessment, and the gap can attract interest and, in some cases, penalties.
It's also worth knowing that from 1 July 2025, ATO interest charges (the general interest charge and shortfall interest charge) are no longer deductible. That makes getting it right the first time more valuable than ever, because the cost of a slip no longer softens at tax time.
What "registered" actually means
Not everyone who offers to do your tax is allowed to. Only a registered tax agent can lawfully prepare and lodge returns for a fee, and registration brings real obligations:
- They must meet qualification and experience standards and stay registered with the Tax Practitioners Board.
- They're bound by a professional Code of Conduct covering honesty, competence and confidentiality.
- They carry professional indemnity insurance, giving you a layer of protection a DIY lodgement simply doesn't have.
You can check any agent's registration on the TPB public register. Nebula Accounting is a registered tax agent (No. 26259377) and CA ANZ-led.
Fixed fees, and the fee is deductible
Cost is the most common hesitation, so we keep it simple. At Nebula Accounting we confirm your fee up front before any work begins, so there are no surprises when the return is done.
The fee you pay for managing your tax affairs is itself generally deductible in the following year's return. In other words, part of the cost of using an agent tends to come back to you, which is one more reason the numbers often stack up in your favour.
Is an agent right for you?
If your return is genuinely simple, one employer, no deductions, no investments, myGov may be all you need. But if you have work expenses, run a side hustle or sole trader business, own an investment property, hold shares or crypto, or you've had a change in circumstances, the value of getting tailored advice generally outweighs the fee.
Ready for a smarter, calmer tax return? Book a chat at nebulaaccounting.au or call 0433 822 227.
This article is general information only and does not take account of your personal circumstances — it is not personal tax, financial or legal advice. Tax laws change and apply differently to different people. Nebula Accounting Pty Ltd is a registered tax agent (No. 26259377); please speak with us or check with the ATO before acting.