The Ultimate EOFY Tax Checklist for ASX Investors (2026)

Why EOFY Preparation Matters

The end of financial year (EOFY) deadline of 30 June can sneak up quickly, leaving many Australian investors scrambling to gather records and calculate their tax obligations. Proper preparation throughout the year—and especially in the lead-up to June—can save you hours of stress and potentially thousands in missed deductions.

This checklist is designed for ASX investors holding shares, ETFs, and managed funds. Whether you're a buy-and-hold investor or an active trader, these items will help ensure you're ready when tax time arrives.

Part 1: Capital Gains Tax Records

Your CGT obligations are often the most complex part of an investor's tax return. Before 30 June, ensure you have:

• Complete transaction history for all buy and sell orders
• Cost base calculations for each parcel sold, including brokerage fees
• Holding period verification to determine CGT discount eligibility (12+ months)
• Any CGT events from corporate actions (demergers, takeovers, capital returns)
• Carried forward losses from previous financial years

If you sold any shares during the year, you'll need to calculate your capital gain or loss for each sale. Remember that the ATO requires you to use the FIFO (First-In-First-Out) method unless you maintain specific parcel identification records.

Part 2: Dividend and Distribution Records

Australian dividends often come with franking credits that can significantly reduce your tax bill—or even generate a refund. Gather:

• Dividend statements from all holdings showing gross dividend, franking credits, and any withholding tax
• Distribution statements from ETFs and managed funds (these can include various components like capital gains, foreign income, and AMIT cost base adjustments)
• DRP records showing reinvested dividends and the acquisition cost of new shares
• Foreign dividend records including any foreign tax withheld

ETF distributions can be particularly complex, often arriving after 30 June. Check with your fund managers for estimated distribution information if you need to make pre-EOFY decisions.

Part 3: Deductible Expenses

Many investors overlook legitimate tax deductions. Review whether you can claim:

• Interest on investment loans (margin loans, home equity used for investment)
• Financial adviser fees (ongoing advice fees, but not initial establishment fees)
• Subscription costs for investment publications, research services, and portfolio tracking tools
• Internet and phone costs (proportion used for managing investments)
• Travel expenses to attend AGMs (for substantial shareholders)

Keep all receipts and ensure you can demonstrate the expense was directly related to earning investment income.

Part 4: Tax-Loss Harvesting Opportunities

Before 30 June, review your portfolio for tax-loss harvesting opportunities:

1. Identify underperforming positions with unrealized losses
2. Calculate potential tax savings by offsetting losses against gains
3. Consider the "wash sale" implications if you intend to repurchase similar assets
4. Document your rationale for any end-of-year sales

Tax-loss harvesting can be a powerful strategy, but it must be done for genuine commercial reasons, not solely for tax purposes.

Part 5: Record Keeping Best Practices

The ATO requires you to keep investment records for at least five years after you sell the asset. Your records should include:

• Purchase contracts and confirmations
• Dividend reinvestment statements
• Corporate action documentation
• Annual tax statements from brokers
• Any professional advice received

Using a dedicated portfolio tracker ensures these records are automatically maintained and easily accessible when you need them.

Final Week Checklist

In the final week before 30 June:

• Download all broker statements and transaction histories
• Reconcile your records with broker-provided tax summaries
• Execute any planned tax-loss harvesting trades (allow settlement time)
• Make any super contributions you've been planning
• Review your marginal tax rate and pre-pay deductible expenses if beneficial

After 30 June

Your EOFY work isn't quite done on 1 July:

• Wait for final distribution statements from ETFs and managed funds (usually available by late August)
• Reconcile ATO pre-fill data with your own records
• Consider lodging early if you're expecting a refund
• Lodge by 31 October if self-preparing, or by your tax agent's deadline if using professional assistance

A well-organized approach to EOFY makes tax time straightforward and ensures you're claiming every deduction you're entitled to.