Tax time in Australia can feel simple until you start pulling together receipts, work-from-home hours, vehicle trips, investment income, rental property expenses, side hustle income and capital gains.
That is where a tax app can help.
But not all tax apps do the same thing. Some are designed for receipt storage. Some help you lodge your tax return. Some are built specifically for sole traders. Others help you understand your tax position throughout the year, not just at the end of financial year.
In this guide, we compare some of the best tax apps in Australia for 2026, including what each one is best for, what it costs, and whether it simply helps you record information or actually calculates your tax position using Australian tax rules.
Quick Comparison of the Best Tax Apps in Australia
| Tax App | Best For | Uses Existing Bank Accounts/Live Bank Feeds | Calculates Personal Tax Using Australian Tax Rules | Multiple Income Types | Year-Round Tax Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaxTank | Employees, property investors, investors & sole traders | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| myDeductions | Simple record keeping | No | No | Limited | Limited |
| Tax App | Accountant-supported clients | No | No | Limited | Limited |
| Hnry | Sole traders & contractors | No, uses Hnry account | Sole trader tax calculations | Limited | Yes |
| Etax | Tax return lodgement | N/A | No | Limited | No |
| ReceiptHub | Receipt storage & record keeping | N/A | No | Limited | Limited |
| Solo by MYOB | Sole traders | Yes | Tax estimates | Limited | Yes |
| myTax | Simple tax returns | No | At lodgement | Limited | No |
What to Look for in a Tax App in 2026
Not all tax apps are created equal. While many help you store receipts or lodge a tax return, the best tax apps in Australia now offer much more than basic record keeping.
One of the biggest developments in recent years has been the adoption of Open Banking, allowing tax apps to securely connect to your bank accounts and automatically import transactions. This reduces manual data entry and makes it easier to stay on top of your finances throughout the year.
If you have more than a simple PAYG income, it’s also worth looking for a platform that can handle multiple income sources. Rental properties, sole trader income, side hustles, shares, crypto investments and foreign income can all have different tax implications and reporting requirements.
Capital gains tax (CGT) is another area where software can make a significant difference. Calculating gains and losses across shares, crypto and investment properties can quickly become complicated without the right tools.
For employees, features such as vehicle logbooks and work-from-home diaries can help maintain accurate records and support deduction claims. However, some platforms simply record information, while others can compare deduction methods and help determine which approach may provide the best outcome.
Another important consideration is whether the platform updates as Australian tax rules change. Tax legislation, deduction methods and reporting requirements evolve regularly, making ongoing tax rule updates an important feature for long-term accuracy.
Finally, consider whether the platform simply tracks transactions or actually calculates your tax position. Many apps focus on record keeping and tax return preparation, but only a small number help users understand their estimated tax position throughout the year using Australian tax rules.
The right tax app should not only make tax time easier. It should help you make better financial decisions throughout the year and reduce the likelihood of unexpected tax bills at the end of the financial year.
Tax Apps vs Tax Return Apps: What’s the Difference?
Before choosing a tax app, it helps to understand the difference between a tax return app and a tax management app.
A tax return app is primarily designed to help you prepare and lodge your tax return at the end of the financial year.
A tax management app helps you manage tax throughout the year. This may include tracking income and expenses, recording deductions, managing rental properties, calculating capital gains, monitoring investment income and understanding your likely tax position before EOFY arrives.
If you have employment income, a side hustle, rental properties, investments or multiple income streams, a year-round tax management platform can provide far greater visibility than a simple tax return app.
Tax App #1: TaxTank (Recommended)
Best for
Australians who want to manage tax throughout the year, especially those with employment income, rental properties, sole trader income, shares, crypto or foreign income.
TaxTank is a cloud-based Australian tax app designed specifically for individuals. Unlike most tax apps that focus on receipt storage or tax return lodgement, TaxTank helps users understand their tax position throughout the year using Australian tax rules.
The platform connects to bank feeds through Open Banking, automatically tracks income and expenses, stores receipts and documents, calculates capital gains and helps users understand how much tax they may owe before tax time arrives.
TaxTank is currently the only Australian tax platform designed specifically for individuals that calculates personal tax in real time across employment income, sole trader income, rental properties, investments, foreign income and capital gains.
Why it stands out
Many tax apps focus on recording information. TaxTank uses that information to calculate your tax position using Australian tax rules. From vehicle logbooks and work-from-home records through to rental properties, investments and sole trader income, TaxTank applies Australian tax rules to help users understand their live calculated tax position throughout the year.
Key features
- Real-time personal tax calculations
- Open Banking bank feeds
- Work-related expense tracking
- Vehicle logbook
- Digital home office diary
- Rental property tracking
- Depreciation management
- Sole trader income and expenses
- Capital gains tax calculations
- Shares and crypto tracking
- Receipt and document storage
- Accountant collaboration
Vehicle Logbook
Many tax apps allow users to record business kilometres. TaxTank goes further by helping users maintain a compliant logbook while calculating the resulting deduction, making it easier to understand the potential tax benefit throughout the year.
Digital Home Office Diary
TaxTank includes Australia’s first digital home office diary, allowing users to track work-from-home hours and compare available deduction methods. Rather than simply recording hours worked, users can switch between methods and see which approach may provide the largest deduction based on their circumstances.
Cost
Flexible subscriptions based on the Tanks you need, pricing starts from as little as $6 per month, billed annually.
Tax App #2: myDeductions
Best for
Individuals with simple tax affairs who want free record keeping.
The ATO’s myDeductions tool allows users to record receipts, deductions, vehicle trips and some income information throughout the year. Information can then be transferred into myTax when lodging a return.
Why it stands out
It is completely free and integrates directly with the ATO’s myTax system.
Key features
- Receipt storage
- Vehicle trip tracking
- Income recording
- Work-related deduction tracking
- Integration with myTax
Considerations
myDeductions is a record-keeping tool rather than a tax management platform. It does not calculate your tax position, estimate your refund or help manage more complex situations involving property, investments or capital gains.
Cost
Free.
Tax App #3: Tax App
Best for
Individuals and small businesses wanting ongoing accountant support alongside digital record keeping.
Tax App combines accounting services with a client portal and mobile app. Users can record income and expenses, upload documents and work directly with their accountant through the platform.
Why it stands out
Tax App combines software and professional accounting services in one place.
Key features
- Income and expense tracking
- Document storage
- Invoice creation
- Accountant collaboration
- Tax return preparation
- Business accounting services
Considerations
Tax App is primarily an accounting service supported by software rather than a dedicated personal tax management platform. It does not provide real-time personal tax calculations across multiple income sources.
Cost
Free for clients of Tax App accounting services.
Tax App #4: Hnry
Best for
Sole traders, freelancers and contractors wanting tax automatically managed as income is received.
Hnry is a platform that automatically calculates and sets aside tax obligations from income processed through the platform. It also includes invoicing, expense tracking and tax return lodgement.
Why it stands out
Tax is automatically managed as income is received, helping reduce the risk of large tax bills at the end of the year.
Key features
- Automated tax calculations
- GST management
- Invoicing
- Expense tracking
- Tax return lodgement
- Accountant support
- BAS support
Considerations
Hnry’s tax management system is built around the Hnry account. To access the platform’s automated tax features, users generally need to receive business income through their Hnry account rather than simply connecting their existing bank accounts.
This approach works well for sole traders wanting a dedicated banking and tax solution. However, it may be less suitable for individuals who want to continue using their existing bank accounts or who have multiple income sources outside their sole trader activities.
Users require additional apps and tools for vehicle logbooks, work-from-home records and other deduction calculations. While records can be maintained, the platform does not compare deduction methods or automatically determine which approach may provide the largest claim based on individual circumstances.
Cost
1% of self-employed income processed through Hnry, capped annually at $1500.
Tax App #5: Etax
Best for
Australians wanting professional assistance with lodging their tax return online.
Etax focuses on helping individuals prepare and lodge tax returns with guidance from tax professionals.
Why it stands out
Combines online tax return software with professional tax support.
Key features
- Online tax return preparation
- Tax agent support
- Deduction guidance
- Receipt storage
- Refund estimates
- ATO lodgement
Considerations
Etax focuses on annual tax return preparation rather than year-round tax management. It does not calculate your ongoing tax position throughout the financial year.
Cost
Returns start from approximately $87.49 depending on circumstances.
Tax App #6: ReceiptHub
Best for
Individuals who want to organise receipts and records throughout the year.
ReceiptHub by H&R Block helps users capture receipts, store tax records and prepare information for tax return lodgement.
Why it stands out
Makes tax record keeping and receipt management simple.
Key features
- Receipt capture
- Document storage
- Vehicle tracking
- Work-from-home records
- Tax checklists
- Tax calculators
Considerations
ReceiptHub focuses on record keeping rather than tax calculations or ongoing tax forecasting. While the app includes vehicle and work-from-home tracking tools that help users maintain records required for tax purposes, these tools focus on record keeping rather than calculating deductions or comparing different claim methods to determine which may produce the best tax outcome.
Cost
Free to use.
Tax App #7: Solo by MYOB
Best for
Sole traders wanting simple business administration and tax estimates.
Solo by MYOB combines invoicing, expense tracking and tax estimates into a mobile-first platform designed specifically for sole traders. Solo focuses primarily on business income and expenses rather than broader personal tax management.
Why it stands out
Provides a simple business management solution without the complexity of traditional accounting software.
Key features
- Invoicing
- Expense tracking
- Bank account integration
- Automatic categorisation
- GST estimates
- Tax estimates
- Quotes and payment tracking
Considerations
Solo focuses on sole trader business management and tax estimates. It is not designed to manage broader personal tax situations involving employment income, rental properties, investments or capital gains.
Cost
From $99 per year after introductory offers.
Tax App #8: myTax
Best for
Australians with simple tax returns who want to lodge directly with the ATO.
myTax is the ATO’s online tax return lodgement platform and is used by millions of Australians each year.
Why it stands out
Direct lodgement with the ATO at no cost.
Key features
- ATO pre-filled information
- Online tax return lodgement
- Basic deduction entry
- Secure myGov integration
Considerations
myTax is a tax return lodgement tool rather than a tax management platform. It is most suitable for relatively straightforward tax situations.
Cost
Free.
Choosing the Right Tax App for Your Needs
The best tax app depends on your situation.
If you simply need a free way to record deductions and lodge a straightforward tax return, myDeductions and myTax may be enough.
If you’re a sole trader looking for automated tax administration, Hnry or Solo may suit your needs.
If your goal is simply to lodge your annual return with professional support, Etax can provide guidance without visiting a traditional accountant.
However, if you have multiple income sources, rental properties, investments, capital gains, work-related deductions or simply want to understand your tax position throughout the year, TaxTank provides one of the most comprehensive solutions available for Australian individuals.
Ready to See Your Tax Position in Real Time?
Whether you’re an employee, property investor, sole trader or investor, TaxTank helps you understand your tax position throughout the year using Australian tax rules.
Track deductions, rental properties, investments, capital gains and multiple income streams in one place, with live bank feeds and real-time tax calculations.
Start your free 14-day trial today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tax app in Australia?
The best tax app depends on your circumstances. For simple tax returns, myTax may be sufficient. For sole traders, Hnry and Solo offer business-focused tools. For individuals wanting real-time tax calculations across employment income, sole trader income, property and investments, TaxTank provides the most comprehensive feature set.
What is the best free tax app in Australia?
The ATO’s myDeductions app is one of the best free tax apps available. It allows users to record deductions, vehicle trips and receipts throughout the year before transferring information into myTax.
Is there an app that calculates tax in Australia?
Yes. Some apps provide tax estimates, while others provide more comprehensive calculations. TaxTank is the only Australian tax app designed specifically for individuals that calculates personal tax positions in real time across multiple income types using Australian tax rules.
What is the best tax app for sole traders?
Hnry and Solo are popular options for sole traders. However, TaxTank may suit sole traders who also have employment income, investments or rental properties and want to manage everything in a single platform.
What is the best tax app for property investors?
Property investors often require rental income tracking, depreciation management, ownership splits and capital gains reporting. TaxTank includes tools specifically designed for property investors and their tax obligations. TaxTank also updates its calculations as Australian tax rules change, helping property investors stay on top of their tax obligations.
Can a tax app replace an accountant?
For some individuals with straightforward tax affairs, a tax app may reduce the need for ongoing accountant support. However, professional advice may still be beneficial for complex tax situations or personal tax advice.
Are tax app subscription fees tax deductible?
In many cases, the cost of managing your tax affairs may be tax deductible. You should check current ATO guidance or speak with a registered tax professional regarding your circumstances.
