One of the most common questions we hear from Perth residents and small business owners is: "How much should I actually be paying for a tax return?" It's a fair question — and the honest answer is that it depends on quite a few factors.
In this guide, we'll walk you through typical tax return costs in Perth, explain what affects pricing, and help you understand when paying more actually makes financial sense.
Typical Tax Return Costs in Perth
As a rough guide, here's what you can expect to pay for tax return preparation in Perth, WA:
| Type of Tax Return | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Simple individual tax return (PAYG employee, no investments) | $150 – $300 |
| Individual with rental property or investments | $300 – $600 |
| Sole trader tax return | $400 – $900 |
| Small business / company tax return | $1,000 – $3,000+ |
| Trust or partnership return | $1,500 – $4,000+ |
These are indicative ranges only — your actual fee will depend on the complexity of your affairs and the accountant you choose. At Reacco, we use transparent fixed-fee pricing so you always know the cost upfront, with no surprises.
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What Affects the Cost of a Tax Return?
No two tax situations are the same. Here are the main factors that influence what your accountant will charge:
1. How complex your income is
A salaried employee with a single employer and no investments has a straightforward return. Add a rental property, shares, cryptocurrency, a side business, or multiple income sources and the complexity — and therefore the time required — increases significantly.
2. Whether you're a sole trader or run a company
Sole traders need their personal and business income assessed together, which takes more time than a simple individual return. Companies and trusts require separate entity returns and more detailed compliance work.
3. How organised your records are
If you hand your accountant a shoebox of receipts, expect to pay more. If your records are tidy — ideally in a system like Xero — the process is faster and cheaper. Good record-keeping directly reduces your accounting fees.
4. Whether you have outstanding lodgements
If you're behind on prior-year returns, catching up takes additional work and may involve liaising with the ATO on your behalf. This adds to the cost.
5. The experience and qualifications of your accountant
A CA ANZ Chartered Accountant or CPA with 10–15 years of experience will typically charge more than a basic tax agent — and for good reason. The knowledge they bring can save you significantly more than their fee through better deductions, structuring, and tax planning.
Important: The cheapest tax return is rarely the best value. An experienced accountant can identify deductions and tax planning opportunities that more than offset their fee. Focus on value, not just cost.
What's Included in a Good Tax Return Service?
When you engage a quality accountant in Perth for your tax return, you should expect more than just form-filling. A thorough tax return service should include:
- A review of all your income sources and deductions
- Maximising your legitimate deductions within ATO guidelines
- Checking for carry-forward losses or offsets you may have missed
- Advice on whether your current structure is tax-efficient
- ATO lodgement on your behalf as a registered tax agent
- Extended lodgement deadlines (tax agents get extra time)
- Representation if the ATO has any queries about your return
Can I Do My Own Tax Return?
Yes — if you're a straightforward PAYG employee with simple affairs, lodging through myTax is free and perfectly reasonable. However, if you're a sole trader, have investments, run a business, or have any complexity in your situation, using a registered tax agent like Reacco is strongly recommended.
The ATO's own data consistently shows that people who use a registered tax agent receive larger refunds on average — because professional accountants know exactly what you can and can't claim, and they stay up to date with every change in tax law.
Is There a Tax Deduction for Accounting Fees?
Yes. In most cases, the fees you pay for tax return preparation are tax deductible in Australia. This means the effective cost of using an accountant is reduced by your marginal tax rate. For a business in the 25% tax bracket, a $500 accounting fee effectively costs $375 after the deduction.
Want to Know What Your Tax Return Will Cost — Before You Commit?
Most Perth accountants won't give you a number until after they've seen everything. We do it differently. Book a free 20-minute call and we'll give you a fixed fee based on your situation — no obligation, no surprises. Individual returns start from $155 + GST. See our full pricing here.
Get a Fixed-Fee Quote →Why Choose Reacco for Your Tax Return in Perth?
Reacco are CA ANZ Chartered Accountants based in Perth, WA. With 15 years of experience across individuals, sole traders, small businesses, companies and trusts, we bring a depth of knowledge that goes well beyond simple tax lodgement.
We believe your accountant should be a genuine business partner — not just someone you hear from once a year at tax time. When you work with Reacco, you get year-round access to qualified advice, proactive tax planning, and a team that's genuinely invested in helping your business grow.
Our Perth tax accountant and tax return services cover individuals, sole traders, companies, partnerships and trusts across all Perth suburbs and throughout Western Australia. You can also view our fixed-fee pricing upfront — no surprises.
Ready to get started? Book your free consultation today — no obligation, no jargon, just a straightforward conversation about your tax situation.