Hiring a tax accountant brings accuracy, compliance and helps you to stay calm during tax season. However, how much does it cost to do a tax return can differ based on the complexity of your finances, business structure and the type of advice you need. In this aspect, this guide explains what influences the cost of accounting services, outlines common price ranges and explores the influence of ATO communication, reducing capital gains tax, and managing obligations for self-managed super funds.
Hiring a tax accountant highly influences the amount you pay for each service. Here are a few key classifications of factors that impact your overall accounting cost.
Every tax return is unique and the more complex your finances are, the higher the fee will be. For instance, an individual with one stream of income can have a simple return with less cost. On the other hand, an individual with multiple income streams, such as investments, capital gains or business, may require extra schedules, reconciliations and analysis. This directly affects the tax accountant’s cost, especially when dealing with multiple income categories.
The kind of business entity you have decides the extent of the work needed for the tax lodgement. Here are a few common types of business structures:
The accountant’s education and knowledge are factors that largely influence the tax accountant charges and the quality of the services. You should consider the following things:
Accounting costs are directly tied to the services you avail. A basic return may only cover preparation and lodgement. In contrast, a comprehensive package can include bookkeeping, BAS lodgements, GST registration, ATO correspondence or financial planning. Accounting service costs can also differ based on their fee model. Some of them charge based on a fixed fee, while others may have hourly rates.
Building an ongoing relationship with your accountant can reduce the overall cost of the services. This is because regular clients require less setup since your records are already filled within the system. Many accountants and accounting firms also use cloud platforms to access real-time financial data and provide strategic tax advice throughout the year.
For instance, tax accountant Perth prices may vary depending on whether the engagement is once a year or a continuous advisory service.
Here’s a table for summarising average fee ranges for different types of tax returns. The following rates are estimates, the actual quote may differ based on your situation
| Type of Tax Return | Average Cost Range | Common Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Basic individual return | $150 – $350 | Salary income, basic deductions, and online lodgement |
| Complex individual return | $350 – $1,000 | Multiple incomes, investments, and capital gains |
| Sole trader return | $400 – $1,500 | Business income, BAS, and GST reporting |
| Company or trust return | $1,500 – $5,000+ | Financial statements, compliance, and director reporting |
| SMSF annual return | $2,000 – $3,500+ | Audit coordination, member contributions, and tax return |
Effective communication with ATO will make sure you do not miss any significant updates or deadlines. Since most notices, reminders and statements are now mainly presented through digital channels, being aware of how to manage ATO communications is essential.
Some of the important practices in effective communication management are:
Efficient communication keeps your file current, avoids penalties, and provides transparency between you and your accountant as well as the ATO.
The capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax that is levied on the sale of an asset, like property or shares at a profit. It is determined as an income tax, along with when and how you will sell. Thus, learning how to save on capital gains tax can help you plan ahead and keep your returns as high as possible.
The legal ways to reduce CGT are:
An accountant in Perth can also help you in capturing all these facts correctly, perform precise offset calculations, and plan sales in a way that minimises the tax as required by the law.
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are flexible and provide control, and they have a high compliance responsibility with the ATO. Following the ATO guidance for new SMSFs helps trustees to stay compliant and manage their duties promptly.
Trustees are responsible to the greatest extent in ensuring the following aspects:
The choice of an accountant may affect your compliance as well as your long-term financial performance. The main considerations during company tax accountant selection are:
Break down service coverage: Have a clear description of what the quoted fee covers.
With proper preparation and communication, an accountant is capable of doing much more than just lodging them correctly.
The following are practical methods of maximising value:
If you are an Australian who lives overseas or manages income from multiple locations, then you can take assistance from an expat tax accountant. They can help you manage your finances from international tax rules, residency status and double taxation issues. These professionals bring clarity on how foreign income works with local tax obligations, along with identifying the exemptions you can claim.
For those individuals relocating abroad or returning after working overseas, it is often a feasible solution to hire an expat tax specialist. They can consolidate both domestic and international tax filings, while maximising global income efficiency.
The cost of a tax accountant is shaped by factors such as financial complexity, record quality and the service you need. In this context, professional accountants interpret regulations, manage ATO communication, help to reduce your capital gains tax and maintain SMSF compliance. Their support ensures accuracy, avoids penalties and provides long-term value through better financial management.