According to a snapshot poll conducted by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) on October 14, more than 40% of Australians who intended to self-lodge their tax returns still hadn't done so, just two weeks before the 2019-20 deadline for tax lodgements on 31 October. 

That's despite early tax returns increasing by 12% on July 1 compared to the same time last year. 

Need somewhere to store cash and earn interest? The table below features savings accounts with some of the highest non-introductory interest rates on the market.

Provider

4000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance

High Interest Savings Account (< $250k)

  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

Savings Maximiser (<$100k)

    010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    • Earn up to 5.40% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
    • No account fees
    • Easy access to your money

    Saver Account (<$250k)

    • Earn up to 5.40% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
    • No account fees
    • Easy access to your money
    4000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking

    Savings Account (Amounts < $250k)

    • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
    05001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    • Maximum Age - 24

    Goal Saver

    • Maximum Age - 24
    02000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    No monthly fees
    • Download the App to open your account
    • Get better visibility of your spending within App!
    • Deposit $200 per month to activate bonus interest
    No monthly fees

    Save Account

    • Download the App to open your account
    • Get better visibility of your spending within App!
    • Deposit $200 per month to activate bonus interest
    0200$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    • No fees or penalties for withdrawing money
    • Savings guaranteed up to $250,000
    • Maximise your savings and reach your goals faster with Auto-Savings

    Bonus Saver Account (Amounts < $250k)

    • No fees or penalties for withdrawing money
    • Savings guaranteed up to $250,000
    • Maximise your savings and reach your goals faster with Auto-Savings
    010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    For customers aged 14-35 years
    For customers aged 14-35 years

    Future Saver Account ( < $50k)

      010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

      Boost Saver

        Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

        All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of March 28, 2024. View disclaimer.

        Australians who don't use a registered tax agent for their tax returns have until October 31 to lodge each year, before interest starts accruing on the amount owed according to the ATO

        With so many Australians still apparently yet to lodge their tax returns, co-founder and CEO at TaxFox Maz Zaman believes Australians should be given additional time to do so this financial year because of the wide-reaching impacts of the pandemic.

        "2020 has been a year of hardship and financial struggle for Australians with many losing employment, switching jobs and adapting to new working conditions, all of which impact tax affairs," Mr Zaman said. 

        "We've seen a number of initiatives such as the extension of JobKeeper and JobSeeker extended with these same issues in mind, and it only makes sense for this consideration and support to also be applied to tax.

        "In particular, there are the more than four million (and growing) Australians who self lodge every year, and are now faced with significant changes to their claims requiring extra research and a new understanding of the system."

        mazzaman

        Tax Fox co-founder and CEO Maz Zaman. Image supplied. 

        According to Tax Fox, self-preparers already lose out on significant savings compared to those who use agents, with those aged 30-34 claiming $1,000 less.

        The deluge of Australians working from home this year as well (46% of Australians in fact) likely means many are set to be able to claim much more this financial year

        "With the impact of coronavirus, it's likely a significant number of self-filers are entitled to much more this year than they are used to claiming," Mr Zaman said. 

        "Not to mention, the ATO’s delay in the pre-filling data fields for online returns, which would have also impacted self lodgers who were trying to get ahead at the beginning of tax season.

        "It's for these reasons we're calling on the ATO for an extension of the Oct 31st self-filing deadline.

        "Self lodgers rushing this week deserve additional time to lodge their returns and get the refund they are truly entitled to, and put that money back to use in the economy."

        [Read: ATO reveals tips to make your tax return easy this year]

        Disclaimers

        Savings.com.au does not provide tax advice. This material has been prepared by Savings.com.au and is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax advice.

        For tax advice relevant to you, visit the ATO or consult an independent tax advisor.