How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Tax Accountant in Australia?

November 10, 2025    admin

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.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Hiring a Tax Accountant

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.

Complexity of Your Financial Situation

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.

Business Structure

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:

  • Sole Traders: Sole traders use a personal return with an extra business income section as a cost-effective measure.
  • Companies and Trusts: It is necessary for companies and trusts to compile official financial statements, balance sheets, and profit and loss accounts prior to the filing of tax returns.
  • Partnerships: Partnerships necessitate the allocation of income and expenses between partners, thus, increasing the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌intricacy.

Type and Experience of the Accountant

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:

  • Professional qualifications: There might be different rates for a Chartered Accountant (CA), a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), and a registered tax agent.
  • Scope of expertise: Experienced personnel can take care of complicated tax issues, setting up business structures, and providing advisory services, whereas junior staff can be engaged in data processing and compliance ​‍​‌‍​‍‌tasks.

Services Included in the Fee

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.

Frequency and Method of Engagement

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.

Average Cost to Hire a Tax Accountant

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

How to Manage ATO Communications?

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:

  • Link your account: With the help of the ATO online services, individuals and sole traders will be able to get secure digital messaging about lodgements, refunds, and payment plans in their inbox.
  • Appoint an authorised agent: Your accountant has the option to use their secure Online Services for Agents portal to handle all ATO correspondence and is guaranteed that all notices are received and acted on immediately.
  • Keep a correspondence log: All notices and responses should be stored electronically. Such records can be used in your favour in case you have to check on past interactions.
  • Respond promptly: Accountants understand how to reply in the right way if the ATO reviews requests or audit letters to avoid escalation or mistakes.

Efficient communication keeps your file current, avoids penalties, and provides transparency between you and your accountant as well as the ATO.

How to Save on Capital Gains Tax?

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:

  • Asset retention of over 12 months: This qualifies individuals and trusts for 50% off CGT.
  • Offset capital losses: You can offset your taxable gain using past or current losses.
  • Select the appropriate timing: It can help you to sell during a low-income year and save on the total tax bracket.
  • Include all related costs: Any expenses such as legal fees, stamp duty, and renovations add to your cost base.

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.

ATO Guidance for New SMSFs

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:

  • File an annual filing on income, contributions, and regulatory information.
  • Select an independent auditor prior to submission.
  • Maintain accurate records within a period of ten years, including the values of investments and trustee meeting minutes.
  • Stay within annual contribution limits and adhere to the written investment strategy of the fund.
  • Register the fund within sixty days and file trustee declarations under twenty-one days of establishment.

Choosing the Right Tax Accountant

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:

  • Check registration: Make sure that your accountant is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. The regulatory organisation makes sure that they are legally qualified to offer tax services and that they uphold current ethical standards.
  • Evaluate the applicable experience: Select an individual with your financial profile. As an example, a small-business owner can get the help of a business tax accountant handling GST, BAS and payroll, whereas a business investor can seek the services of an accountant knowledgeable in property or capital gains.

Break down service coverage: Have a clear description of what the quoted fee covers.

How to Get the Most Value from Your Accountant

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:

  • Store financial documents electronically: Store receipts, invoices, and bank statements using the accounting software.
  • Submit documents before deadlines: On-time submission will enable your accountant to plan deductions, analyse timing plans and check all figures.
  • Share major updates promptly: Notify your accountant about property acquisitions, new business operations, or changes in investments as they occur. This assists in adjusting your tax position prior to the financial year.
  • Check and verify all drafts: You should check tax returns and statements and ensure they are correct before submitting them. You can do this by reviewing together to identify mistakes and to be sure of your final position.
  • Keep supporting records: ATO suggests that tax records should be kept for a minimum of five years. Such records are necessary in audits, tracking capital gains, and deduction checks.

Australians Residing in Foreign Locations

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.

Final Thoughts

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.

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