Written by: The Australian Accountants Team
Last Updated: October 2026
Key Takeaways
- Australian Accountants currently lists an individual tax return from $325 including GST and a couple’s two individual returns from $583 including GST.
- Rental properties, capital gains, cryptocurrency, business schedules, amendments and disorganised records can increase the final fee.
- Some work is priced as a fixed service; advice, bookkeeping and more complex assignments may be billed hourly or quoted after the scope is reviewed.
- Ask what is included before comparing quotes. A lower headline price may exclude schedules, advice, amendments or follow-up support.
- Published fees were updated in October 2026 and are starting-from prices that include GST. Confirm the scope and current price before engaging an accountant.
How Much Does an Accountant Cost in Sydney in 2026?
For a straightforward individual tax return, Australian Accountants currently charges from $325 including GST. Two individual returns for a couple are listed from $583 including GST. The final cost can increase when the return includes rental properties, capital gains, cryptocurrency, business income or other work beyond a standard return.
When comparing accountant fees in Sydney, it is important to look at the work included rather than relying on one headline figure. A salary-and-interest return is a very different job from a return involving several investments, a sole trader business and an ATO amendment. The cost of a tax accountant therefore depends on the scope, complexity and level of advice required.
If you want to see the firm’s currently published figures, review the service pricing page. Always request a current written quote that explains what is included.
What is Included in a Basic Individual Tax Return?
A basic return generally covers income and deductions that can be prepared using your ATO pre-fill information and the records you provide. The exact scope should be confirmed before work begins.
A straightforward engagement may include reviewing your income information, discussing ordinary work-related deductions, preparing the return, lodging it with the ATO and answering reasonable questions about the completed return. More complex work such as detailed tax planning, asset-sale calculations, extensive record reconstruction or ATO matters, may require additional work and fees.
For help preparing and lodging an individual return, see Australian Accountants’ personal tax return services.
What Can Increase the Cost of a Tax Return?
Tax return costs usually increase when an accountant needs to complete extra schedules, check more transactions or resolve gaps in the information supplied. Common cost drivers include:
- Rental properties, particularly where income and expenses have not been summarised
- The sale of property, shares or other assets requiring capital gains tax calculations
- Cryptocurrency transactions and incomplete exchange records
- Sole trader or other business income requiring a business schedule
- Multiple income sources, foreign income or more complex residency questions
- Amendments to a return that has already been lodged
- ATO correspondence, reviews, objections or overdue lodgements
- Missing documents or records that need to be reconstructed
Well-organised records do not change the tax rules, but they can reduce avoidable administration. Sending complete information at the start also makes it easier for the accountant to identify the work required and give you a clearer estimate.
Examples of Additional Tax Return Fees
Australian Accountants’ published service-pricing page lists the following examples. These are not a universal Sydney price list, and the final fee remains subject to the complexity of the work.
| Tax return service | Price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Individual tax return | From $325 |
| Couple’s individual tax returns (two returns) | From $583 |
| Additional item | Price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| First investment property | From $231 |
| Each additional rental property | From $154 |
| Business schedule | From $303 |
| Simple capital gains tax schedule | From $105 |
| Complex capital gains tax schedule | From $363 |
| Capital gains schedule – Sale of a rental property | From $435 |
| Depreciation schedule – Complex | From $143 |
| Dividend summary / share registry look-ups | From $132 |
| ETP – Multiple / manual rebate calculations | From $143 |
| Motor vehicle claim (logbook method) | From $77 |
| Cryptocurrency capital gains tax schedule | From $198 |
| Amendment caused by a client error | From $286 |
| Amendment caused by a previous accountant error | From $429 |
| Franking credit refund return | From $193 |
| Non-lodgement advice / return not necessary | From $182 |
Price check: October 2026. Prices are starting from and include GST. Share and cryptocurrency CGT schedules are priced according to transaction volume. The cryptocurrency fee is a base fee, and a CryptoTax software subscription may also be required. Confirm the current fee and scope before proceeding.
Fixed Fee vs Hourly Rate: How Do They Work?
Neither model is automatically better. A fixed fee works well when the accountant can define the task in advance. It gives you greater certainty, but you still need to know what sits outside the quoted scope.
Hourly billing can be appropriate when the amount of work is difficult to predict, such as cleaning up records, responding to an ATO matter or providing advice as new information emerges. In that situation, ask for an estimate, the applicable rate and an agreed point at which the accountant must obtain approval before doing more work.
How Much Do Accountants Charge Per Hour?
Accountant hourly rates in Sydney vary according to the qualifications and experience of the person doing the work, the type of assistance required and the delivery timeframe. Australian Accountants currently publishes these selected rates:
| Work or team level | Published hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Junior accountant | From $175 per hour |
| Intermediate accountant | From $275 per hour |
| Senior accountant | From $400 per hour |
| Manager | From $500 per hour |
| Principal | From $700 per hour |
| Bookkeeping | From $150 per hour |
| Payroll and more complex bookkeeping | From $210 per hour |
| Tax advice Partner | From $700 per hour |
The complete list is available on the firm’s hourly rates page. Rates were checked in September 2026 and should be reconfirmed when requesting a quote.
Is It Worth Paying for a Registered Tax Agent?
A registered tax agent can do more than prepare and lodge a tax return. Depending on the engagement, they can identify information that is missing, explain how the tax rules apply to your circumstances, prepare and lodge the return, and communicate with the ATO on your behalf.
If you are paying someone to provide tax agent services, check that they are registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. Australian Accountants provides registered tax agent services for individuals and businesses.
The ATO also explains that eligible costs of managing your tax affairs may be deductible in the income year in which you incur them. Read the ATO’s guidance on the cost of managing tax affairs and obtain advice for your circumstances.
How Can You Keep Accounting Costs Under Control?
- Ask for a written scope and quote before the accountant starts
- Provide complete records in the requested format instead of sending information in stages
- Summarise rental property income and expenses and keep supporting documents together
- Export share and cryptocurrency transaction reports where available, particularly when you have multiple transactions
- Tell the accountant about asset sales, foreign income, business activities and prior-year issues at the outset
- Separate tax-return preparation from broader tax planning so you understand the fee for each service
- Ask who will do the work and whether different hourly rates may apply
What Should You Ask Before Accepting a Quote?
- Is the quote fixed, estimated or based on hourly rates?
- Is GST included in the quoted price?
- Which returns, schedules and entities are included?
- Will I be charged separately for phone calls, advice or ATO follow-up?
- What information do you need from me, and by when?
- What happens if the scope changes?
- Who will prepare and review the work?
A useful quote should let you compare scope as well as price. If one accountant appears much cheaper, check whether both quotes cover the same work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic tax return cost in Sydney?
Australian Accountants currently lists a standard individual tax return from $325 including GST. The fee can increase when extra schedules, calculations or advice are required. Pricing was updated in October 2026 and may change.
How much does an accountant cost for a couple?
Australian Accountants lists two individual tax returns for a couple from $583 including GST. This published amount may not cover additional work such as rental properties, capital gains, cryptocurrency or business schedules.
Why do accountant fees vary so much?
Fees vary because the scope, complexity, quality of records, number of transactions and level of expertise required are different for each client. A standard employee return cannot be priced in the same way as a complex investment or business matter.
Is a tax agent fee deductible?
The ATO states that eligible expenses for managing your tax affairs may be deductible in the income year in which they are incurred. The treatment depends on the nature of the expense, so check the ATO guidance or ask your tax adviser about your circumstances.
Is it cheaper to lodge my own tax return?
Lodging your own return avoids a professional preparation fee, but the complexity of your tax affairs and the level of assistance you need may also be relevant. If your affairs are complex, professional help may reduce errors, clarify what records are needed and help you deal with issues before lodgement.
Should I choose a fixed fee or an hourly rate?
A fixed fee is useful for clearly defined work. Hourly billing can be appropriate when the scope is uncertain. Whichever model is used, ask for the inclusions, exclusions and approval process in writing.
What should I bring to my accountant?
Bring or securely provide income records, deduction receipts, private health insurance details, investment statements, rental property summaries, asset purchase and sale documents, business records and relevant ATO correspondence. Your accountant can give you a tailored checklist.
Can an accountant quote before seeing my records?
An accountant may give an indicative price, but a reliable quote often depends on reviewing the number of entities, transactions, schedules and unresolved issues. Be clear about your circumstances so the estimate is based on the actual work required.
Preferred Financial Planning Partner
Australian Accountants’ preferred financial planning partner is Shaw and Partners Limited, represented by Karl Goody (ABN 24 003 221 583 | AFSL 236 048).
Financial planning services are provided separately by Shaw and Partners Limited and are subject to its own advice and engagement terms.
Final Thoughts
The cost of an accountant in Sydney depends on the scope and the complexity of the work required. A straightforward return may fit a published fixed fee, while investment, business, advisory and ATO matters need a more detailed scope.
Before choosing an accountant, compare registration, experience, scope and communication as carefully as the headline price. To discuss your return or obtain a quote, contact Australian Accountants to learn more about its registered tax agent services.