Understanding your tax Notice of Assessment
After you lodge your tax return, the ATO issues a Notice of Assessment (NOA). It’s the ATO’s formal confirmation of your tax result for the year — including how they calculated your refund or payable amount.
Think of it as the ATO’s “receipt” for your return.
It is
- The ATO’s official assessment of your taxable income and tax outcome.
- Evidence of your refund or the amount you need to pay (plus the due date).
- A summary of key items that affected the result (withheld tax, levies, offsets, HELP, etc.).
It is not
- A full copy of your tax return (it’s a summary).
- A guarantee your return won’t be reviewed later (the ATO can still review and amend).
- A document you should ignore — it’s where errors are usually spotted.
Where to find it
myGov
myGov → ATO → Tax → Notices → Notice of assessment (PDF).
ATO letters
Some clients also receive a posted copy depending on preferences and settings.
Through us
If we lodged your return, we can send you the assessment or help interpret it.
How to read it: key sections explained
These labels vary slightly year to year, but the concepts are consistent.
| Section / line item | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable income | Your income after deductions and adjustments. Tax rates are applied to this figure. | Does it broadly match your expectations and the return we lodged? |
| Tax on taxable income | The core income tax based on Australian resident/non-resident rates. | If your income jumped (bonus, job change, investment sale), expect this to rise. |
| Tax offsets | Credits that reduce tax (e.g. low-income offsets or eligible rebates). | If offsets are missing, it can change the result materially. |
| Medicare levy | A standard levy that usually applies to most residents. | If you believe you qualify for an exemption/reduction, we should confirm evidence. |
| Medicare Levy Surcharge | An additional amount if income is high and you lack private hospital cover. | If MLS appears unexpectedly, check private health details. |
| HELP/HECS loans | Repayments calculated based on income once you exceed thresholds. | If you have a loan, a bill can happen if withholding didn’t cover repayments. |
| Tax withheld | PAYG withheld by your employer(s) and other payers. | Compare to your income statements (STP) and payment summaries. |
| Refund or amount payable | The final outcome after tax, offsets, levies, and credits. | If payable: note the due date. If refund: check your bank details. |
Why your refund can change even if your income “didn’t really change”
Quick checklist (2 minutes)
If something looks off, it’s best to raise it early.
Core checks
Extra checks (if relevant)
What to do if something looks wrong
Step-by-step
- Compare it to your lodged return (your copy or the figures we sent).
- Check prefill items (income statements, bank interest, dividends, private health).
- Identify the “driver”: withheld tax, HELP, Medicare/MLS, missing offset, or incorrect income.
- Contact us so we can assess whether an amendment is appropriate.
Common “fixes”
- Amendment: correcting the return where evidence supports it.
- Payment arrangement: if you owe tax and need time to pay.
- Objection/dispute: for formal review (rare for most individuals).
Don’t ignore an assessment you disagree with. There are strict timeframes for formal objections.
Case studies
A client receives their NOA and notices the tax withheld figure looks lower than expected. They compare it to their income statement and see one employer wasn’t finalised correctly. They contact us immediately.
Outcome: We confirm the mismatch, update the return, and the amendment is processed without penalties.
A client receives an NOA showing a payable amount. They assume it’s wrong and do nothing. The due date passes, interest/penalties begin to accrue.
Outcome: By the time they reach out, we’re dealing with both the issue and the overdue payment. Avoidable stress.