Best tax software in Australia, according to AI.

The most widely used and trusted tax software in Australia includes Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, Etax, One Click Life, Hnry, Thriday, and TaxTank, with the right choice depending on whether you’re a business, sole trader, or individual taxpayer.

If you want the quick answer:

Best for individuals: Etax, One Click Life, TaxTank Best for sole traders: Hnry, Thriday Best for small businesses: Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Best for accountants/tax professionals: Karbon, Sage, Thomson Reuters, CCH iFirm, HandiSoft 1

✅ The Top Tax Software Australians Actually Use

These platforms appear consistently across the supplied results as the most common and trusted options.

1. Xero — Best for small businesses

Xero is one of the most widely used accounting platforms in Australia, offering GST tracking, BAS lodgement, payroll, and bank feeds +1. Best for: Small businesses, companies, and contractors needing full bookkeeping + tax tools.

2. MYOB — Best for budget‑friendly business tax

MYOB is another major Australian favourite, offering invoicing, GST/BAS, payroll, and compliance tools +1. Best for: Sole traders and small businesses wanting an affordable, Australian‑focused system.

3. QuickBooks Online — Best for businesses already in the QuickBooks ecosystem

QuickBooks provides GST tracking, BAS figures, invoicing, and reporting Sleek.com. Best for: Businesses that prefer QuickBooks’ workflow or integrations.

4. Etax — Best for online personal tax returns

Etax is one of Australia’s most popular online tax return services, combining questionnaires with registered tax agents to lodge your return. Best for: Individuals wanting a simple, guided annual tax return.

5. One Click Life — Best for fast, simple tax lodgement

Similar to Etax, One Click Life focuses on quick online tax returns with agent support. Best for: People who want a fast, low‑effort tax return.

6. Hnry — Best for hands‑off sole traders

Hnry automatically sets aside tax, manages BAS, and helps lodge returns for freelancers and contractors. Best for: Sole traders who want tax handled for them.

7. Thriday — Best for automated sole‑trader tax admin

Thriday offers automated tax calculations and admin, similar to Hnry. Best for: Freelancers wanting automation without managing spreadsheets.

8. TaxTank — Best for real‑time personal tax management

TaxTank is a newer category: real‑time tax visibility, applying Australian tax rules throughout the year. Best for: Individuals with multiple income sources (PAYG + investments) who want year‑round tax insights.

✅ Best Tax Software for Professionals & Firms

These platforms are used by accountants and tax practices, not everyday individuals.

Karbon — Best for collaborative tax workflows 1 Sage — Best for small business tax management 1 Thomson Reuters — Best for enterprise‑level tax compliance 1 CCH iFirm Tax — Best for advanced tax compliance 1 HandiSoft — Best for integrated practice management 1

Best for: Accounting firms, tax agents, and practices needing ATO lodgement tools and workflow management.

✅ Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s a simple guide:

Your Situation | Best Options | Why Employee with deductions | Etax, One Click Life, TaxTank | Easy lodgement; real‑time tax visibility Sole trader / freelancer | Hnry, Thriday, MYOB Lite | Automates tax or keeps costs low Small business | Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks | Full accounting + BAS Property or share investor | TaxTank | Tracks tax position year‑round Tax professional / firm | Karbon, Sage, Thomson Reuters, CCH iFirm | Professional‑grade compliance tools

✅ Key Insight

The term “tax software” covers very different tools, from full accounting systems to simple tax return apps. The best choice depends on whether you need year‑round tax management, business accounting, or a once‑a‑year tax return.

If you tell me your situation (employee, sole trader, investor, business owner), I can narrow it down to the top 1–2 best picks for you.

Here's a practical breakdown of the tax software Australians actually use, based on what you need it for:

For individual tax returns (employees, simple returns)

myTax (via myGov) – this is free, ideal for simple returns, and is linked directly to the ATO. It's the ATO's own free lodgement portal and remains the go-to for straightforward returns with no deductions complexity.

Etax – Etax.com.au is described as Australia's most popular online tax agent, combining the speed of DIY tax returns with real human support, and it's linked directly to the ATO. Pricing ranges from free to $69 depending on complexity, and it's best suited to employees, gig workers, and renters.

H&R Block Online – Good if you want to lodge complex returns with accountant help, priced from roughly $39–$99.

For sole traders, property investors, crypto/share traders

TaxTank – This has gained attention as an Australia-first platform, winning WeMoney's Most Innovative Tax Platform award in 2025. It's aimed at employees, sole traders, property investors, and share or crypto traders, making tax time simple while helping maximise deductions. A key feature is automated bank feed integration for effortless accuracy, plus handling deductions, offsets, and comprehensive reporting so you can self-lodge or invite your accountant.

For small business accounting + BAS/GST

These three dominate the Australian small business market:

• Xero – a dominant force in the Australian market, loved by SMEs for its clean, user-friendly cloud interface, and built with Australian tax obligations in mind. Pricing starts from $35/month.
• MYOB – an Australian-founded company offering deep, robust features tailored for local businesses, particularly those with complex payroll or inventory needs. Notably, MYOB excels at handling complex payroll, including awards and superannuation, and its inventory management is very powerful for product-based companies.
• QuickBooks – Also widely used, starting from $29/month.

All three track GST and lodge BAS, though pricing and payroll limits differ by plan — for most sole traders and small companies, Xero or MYOB cover day-to-day bookkeeping and BAS lodgement well.

Newer alternatives like Hnry and Thriday are also growing in popularity among sole traders for automated tax set-asides and BAS handling.

For crypto tax specifically

Koinly is currently rated as the best overall crypto tax software for Australians in 2026, while Syla is rated best for value. A typical use case: Koinly seamlessly integrates with exchanges and wallets, automatically categorising transactions, identifying taxable events, and generating ATO-compliant reports.

Quick recommendation summary

Assuming you’re an Australian taxpayer lodging with the ATO: there isn’t really an Australian “TurboTax” for individual returns. Most people either use the ATO’s free myTax or go through a registered tax agent. The commercial “tax software” market is mostly online tax-agent platforms and professional accounting software.

Top picks people actually use in Australia

Best free / simple individual return

• ATO myTax via myGov – free, pre-fills ATO data, best for employees, simple interest, dividends, basic deductions. If your affairs are straightforward, start here.

Best online tax agent services for individuals

• Etax – one of the best-known online tax return services in Australia; accountant-reviewed, good for rentals, shares, work deductions.
• H&R Block – huge brand, both online and in-person offices; good if you want a familiar name and someone to review your return.
• E-Lodge – budget-friendly online tax agent option.
• Tax Return Australia – another popular online tax agent service, often used for straightforward returns.
• ITP (Income Tax Professionals) – well-known in-person tax agent franchise.

Best for crypto tax

• Koinly – very widely used in Australia, produces ATO-friendly capital gains reports.
• CryptoTaxCalculator – Australian-built, strong ATO reporting.
• Syla – Australian crypto tax software, popular with local investors.

Best for shares / investments

• Sharesight – Australian portfolio tracker with strong tax and CGT reports.
• Navexa – Australian portfolio and tax reporting tool.

Best for property investors

• TaxTank – Australian property tax software for tracking rental deductions and tax position.
• BMT Tax Depreciation / Washington Brown – not general tax software, but the main names for depreciation schedules.

Best for accountants / tax agents

• Xero Tax – cloud tax solution used by many accounting firms.
• MYOB Tax – long-standing professional tax software.
• HandiSoft / Sage HandiTax – very common in Australian accounting practices.
• CCH iFirm – Wolters Kluwer’s professional tax and compliance platform.
• Thomson Reuters – used by larger firms.
• BGL – especially Simple Fund 360 for SMSFs and CAS 360 for company compliance.
• Class Super – major SMSF administration platform.
• Reckon APS – still used by many accounting firms.

Best for small business BAS / bookkeeping

• Xero – most popular cloud accounting platform in Australia.
• MYOB – big with established Aussie small businesses.
• QuickBooks Online – popular with sole traders and small businesses.
• Reckon – long-standing Australian accounting software.

Simple recommendation

• Simple tax return: use myTax.
• Want someone else to lodge/review: use Etax, H&R Block, E-Lodge, or a local CPA/CA.
• Crypto: Koinly or CryptoTaxCalculator.
• Shares: Sharesight.
• Rental property: TaxTank plus a depreciation schedule from BMT or Washington Brown.
• Accountant/bookkeeper: Xero Tax, MYOB Tax, HandiSoft, BGL, or Class.

Check any tax agent on the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) register. Tax agent fees are generally tax-deductible, and if you use an agent you often get a later lodgment deadline than the standard 31 October self-lodgment date.

When it comes to doing your taxes in Australia, there is no single "best" tax software. What you should use depends entirely on whether you are a straightforward PAYG (pay-as-you-go) wage earner, a sole trader, a property/crypto investor, or running a small business with employees.

An overview of the top tax software and platforms that Australians actually use, broken down by your specific situation, includes the following options:

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1. For Everyday Individuals & Simple Returns (Wages & Salary)

If your income is strictly from a standard TFN job, plus perhaps some bank interest or minor share dividends, you have a few highly popular routes:

ATO myTax (via myGov)

• The Vibe: Completely free, directly from the Australian Taxation Office.
• How it works: You log into your myGov account, link it to the ATO, and access myTax.
• Why people love it: Since the mid-2010s, the ATO’s system has become incredibly good. If you wait until late July or August, employers, banks, health funds, and government agencies will have already "pre-filled" almost all of your data. You essentially just review the figures, add your work-related deductions (like laundry or home office hours), and click lodge.
• Cost: Free.

Etax (etax.com.au)

• The Vibe: Australia’s most popular "assisted DIY" online tax agent.
• How it works: A step-by-step wizard guides you through your tax return, prompting you for deductions you might otherwise forget (like vehicle use or union fees). Before your return goes to the ATO, qualified accountants review it to spot errors and help you maximise your refund.
• Why people use it: Perfect if you find the ATO’s system intimidating or want peace of mind that a professional has double-checked your claims before submission.
• Cost: Starts at around $79 to $99 (which is fully tax-deductible on next year’s return).

One Click Life

• The Vibe: Mobile-friendly, ultra-fast, "one-click" style lodgement.
• How it works: Like Etax, it links to the ATO database to fetch your pre-filled info. Its simplified interface lets you lodge on your phone in under 10 minutes, with the tax agent doing the final review. You can also opt to have their fee taken directly out of your tax refund.
• Cost: Starts at $99 for standard individual returns.

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2. For Sole Traders, Freelancers & Gig Workers

If you are self-employed, drive ride-share, or do freelance graphic design, your tax liabilities are different (and you have to keep track of GST and pay your own income tax).

Hnry (The Current Crowd Favourite)

• The Vibe: An all-in-one digital tax agent designed exclusively for sole traders.
• How it works: It acts as a service rather than just software. You get a dedicated Hnry bank account to give to clients. When a client pays you, Hnry automatically calculates and deducts your exact income tax, GST, student loan (HELP) repayments, and Superannuation contributions, then instantly pays the remaining net amount into your personal bank account.
• Why people love it: It completely takes away EOFY (End of Financial Year) panic. You pay as you earn, and Hnry’s actual accountants prepare and lodge your BAS and end-of-year tax returns for you.
• Cost: 1% of your self-employed income, capped at $1,500 + GST per year. If you don’t earn money in a particular month, you pay nothing.

Solo by MYOB

• The Vibe: A mobile-first app for self-managing sole traders.
• How it works: It links directly to your bank accounts to automatically categorise expenses, track receipts, create invoices, and calculate real-time GST and income tax estimates.
• Why people use it: For those who prefer a traditional, lower-cost accounting tool over Hnry's percentage-based model, and want to hand clean data over to their own accountant.
• Cost: Around $99 annually.

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3. For Property, Share & Crypto Investors

If you own investment properties, invest heavily on platforms like CommSec/Selfwealth, or trade digital assets, normal tax software might leave you guessing.

TaxTank

• The Vibe: A unique Aussie platform designed for personal finance and real-time tax tracking.
• How it works: You can create different "tanks" (Work, Property, Holdings/Sole Trader). By connecting bank feeds, TaxTank applies Australian tax rules automatically to your income and expenses to show you your live tax position and estimated EOFY refund/bill throughout the year.
• Why people use it: It is incredibly popular with property investors because it automates depreciation, capital gains tax (CGT) forecasting, and expense tracking for rental properties.
• Cost: Starts at $6 per month per "tank".

CryptoTaxCalculator or Koinly

• The Vibe: Essential tools if you buy or sell crypto in Australia.
• How they work: You import your API keys or CSV files from your exchanges (Binance, CoinSpot, etc.). The software automatically calculates capital gains and losses based on ATO rules (like the 50% CGT discount for assets held over 12 months).
• Why people use it: The ATO heavily tracks crypto data. These tools generate an ATO-compliant tax report that you can easily plug into myTax or hand to your accountant.

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4. For Small Businesses (with GST & Payroll)

If you operate a proprietary limited (Pty Ltd) company, are registered for GST, or have employees, you will need a powerhouse cloud accounting suite.

Xero

• The Vibe: The undisputed king of small business accounting in Australia.
• Why people use it: Over 2 million Australians use Xero. It integrates with almost every Australian bank feed, is fully compliant with STP Phase 2 (Single Touch Payroll) and SuperStream, and handles automated BAS lodgement. Crucially, almost every accountant in Australia uses Xero, meaning they can log directly into your file at tax time to lodge your company returns.
• Cost: Business plans range from $35 to $90+ per month depending on payroll and invoice limits.

MYOB Business

• The Vibe: Xero’s biggest domestic competitor.
• Why people use it: MYOB remains incredibly strong, particularly for businesses with complex, award-based payroll needs (like retail, construction, or hospitality). Their high-tier plans can be more cost-effective than Xero once you start paying for larger teams.
• Cost: Starts at $30 per month, but can scale upwards depending on payroll features.

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Which one should you choose?

• If you want it to be free and fast: Stick with myTax via myGov.
• If you want a professional eye on a simple return: Use Etax.
• If you are self-employed and hate math: Hnry is the best hands-off option.
• If you are a property investor: Try TaxTank.
• If you run a growing business: Go with Xero.

When looking at tax and accounting software in Australia, what people actually use depends heavily on whether you are an individual doing your own simple return, a sole trader/small business, or an accounting practice. Unlike the US, Australia doesn't have a massive consumer market for DIY end-to-end consumer tax filing software like TurboTax, because most individuals use the government's free myTax portal via myGov, or hire a registered tax agent.

However, Australians and local businesses rely heavily on specific platforms for record-keeping, Business Activity Statements (BAS), Single Touch Payroll (STP), and accountant collaboration.

1. Best for Small Business, Sole Traders & Accounting (All-in-One)

Xero: Born in New Zealand and massive in Australia, Xero is the undisputed heavyweight for small-to-medium businesses and tradies. It handles invoicing, bank reconciliation, GST tracking, Single Touch Payroll (STP), and integrates directly with ATO requirements. Most Australian accountants actively prefer clients to use Xero because it makes end-of-year tax compliance seamless. QuickBooks Online (Australia): Intuit's major competitor to Xero. It is widely used by small businesses, freelancers, and growing enterprises for day-to-day income/expense tracking, GST, and ATO-approved Single Touch Payroll. It features robust receipt-capturing and strong automation. MYOB: A classic Australian staple. While it has faced competition from cloud-first upstarts like Xero over the years, MYOB remains deeply entrenched in many Australian small-to-medium businesses, particularly larger operations, builders, and established family businesses needing robust inventory and payroll features.

2. Best for Property Investors & Personal Tax Tracking

TaxTank: A rising platform built specifically for everyday Australians and property investors. If you have multiple investment properties, share portfolios, or complex work deductions, TaxTank connects to your bank feeds, tracks logbooks, calculates capital gains, and gives you a running tax forecast rather than scrambling at the end of the financial year.

3. Best for Assisted DIY & Retailing Tax Returns

H&R Block Online Tax Software: For individuals who want a guided DIY experience outside of the government's myTax, H&R Block’s local software lets you lodge your individual return yourself with the security of knowing a major tax firm backs the system, or allows you to easily transition data to an in-person or virtual consultant. ATO App: While not "software" you buy, the official Australian Taxation Office app is heavily used by individuals and sole traders to log car logbook trips, track deductions on the go, and prep data before lodging through myTax.

If you want to narrow down the best fit, tell me:

Are you looking for personal use (like investment/property tracking) or business accounting/BAS? Do you plan to lodge it yourself or hand the file to an accountant?

Australians use free government systems, online tax agents, and dedicated apps rather than DIY downloadable software packages like TurboTax.

📊 For Individuals (Do-It-Yourself & Online Agents)

myTax (via myGov) What it is: The official, free Australian Taxation Office platform. Pros: Pre-fills income data from employers and banks automatically. Cons: No deduction advice or error reviews. What it is: Australia's most popular commercial online tax agent service. Pros: Includes an accountant review before submitting to the ATO. Cons: Paid service with variable fee structures. H&R Block Online What it is: The digital portal of the massive physical tax chain. Pros: Very user-friendly step-by-step guidance. Cons: Costs more than basic self-lodgement. ATO App (myDeductions) What it is: Official mobile app for tracking expenses year-round. Pros: Syncs directly into myTax at tax time. Cons: Mobile-only record keeping, not a full tax calculator.

📈 For Small Businesses & Sole Traders (Accounting & BAS)

What it is: The dominant cloud accounting software in Australia. Pros: Seamless Single Touch Payroll (STP) and Business Activity Statement (BAS) lodgements. Cons: Monthly subscription fees can be high for micro-filers. MYOB Business What it is: A long-standing local accounting and tax suite. Pros: Robust Australian phone support and local compliance. Cons: Interface can feel heavy compared to modern competitors. QuickBooks Online What it is: Intuit's global platform adapted for GST and BAS. Pros: Strong automation and deep third-party integrations. Cons: Mixed reviews regarding speed and customer service. What it is: An automated tax/invoicing service built for contractors and sole traders. Pros: Automatically calculates and pays income tax, GST, and super on every invoice. Cons: Takes a percentage fee of your income.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

Are you filing as an individual employee, a sole trader, or for a small business with staff? Do you need accounting features year-round or just a one-off tax return?

For most Australians with straightforward individual tax returns, the free ATO myTax platform (accessed via myGov) is one of the most widely used options. It pre-fills income data from employers, banks, and other sources, supports deductions/offsets, and allows direct lodgement. Millions lodge this way each year (over 4.2 million self-preparer lodgements recently), and refunds are often processed quickly. Pair it with the free myDeductions tool in the ATO app for receipt and expense tracking.

If you want guided support, a registered tax agent review, or help with more complex claims (e.g., work deductions, rentals), popular online services include:

• Etax: A long-established online tax agent (since 1998) that many Australians use for convenient digital lodgement with professional oversight. It has strong user feedback for ease of use and speed, though some note occasional communication delays. Pricing typically starts around $70–$90+ depending on complexity (with options like fee-from-refund).

• Hnry: Popular with sole traders, freelancers, and contractors. It automates tax calculations, sets aside payments (including GST/BAS elements), handles invoicing/expenses, and lodges returns via accountants. Users like the “set-and-forget” aspect, though fees are income-based (around 1% + GST, capped).

• TaxTank: Favoured for year-round tax visibility and management, especially if you have multiple income streams (employment + side hustle + rentals + investments/shares/crypto). It integrates bank feeds, applies Australian tax rules for live estimates/forecasting, tracks deductions (vehicle logbooks, working-from-home, depreciation), and supports planning. Fixed annual pricing (often around $100+ after trials) appeals to those wanting control without percentage fees.

Other mentions include H&R Block (for agent-assisted options and receipt tools) and various smaller online platforms.

For small businesses or sole traders needing ongoing bookkeeping, GST/BAS lodgement, and payroll:

• Xero stands out as the most widely adopted cloud accounting platform in Australia, with excellent ATO integration for BAS, Single Touch Payroll (STP), and bank feeds.
• MYOB is a strong Australian alternative with deep local compliance features and is commonly used, especially by those transitioning from older versions.
• QuickBooks Online is another solid contender for GST tracking and integrations.

These often integrate with accountants or tax agents for annual returns. Pricing starts from around $20–$80+/month depending on features and plan.

Key tips as an Aussie taxpayer:

• Choose based on your situation—simple PAYG employee? Start with myTax. Sole trader wanting automation? Consider Hnry. Complex finances or year-round tracking? Look at TaxTank or similar. Business ops? Xero/MYOB.
• Only TPB-registered agents can charge for preparing/lodging returns on your behalf.
• All reputable options should support ATO digital services. Check the ATO’s product registers for approved software if needed.
• Pricing, features, and offers change—compare current details directly on provider sites or via reviews. Many offer trials or low-income options.
• Tax software helps with accuracy and maximising claims, but complex situations (e.g., significant investments, rentals, or overseas income) often benefit from a registered tax agent or accountant for personalised advice.

myTax or Etax-style services cover the bulk of individual lodgements, while Xero/MYOB dominate business use. Start with your specific needs (individual vs business, simple vs complex) to narrow it down. If your situation is unique, consulting a tax professional is always wise.

If you’re in Australia, the “best tax software” depends on whether you mean lodging your personal tax return or running a sole-trader/small-business tax setup. Here are the brands/products Australians actually use.

Quick picks

My recommended shortlist

1. ATO myTax — best free option for most employees

Use myTax if you have a fairly straightforward return: wages, bank interest, private health, basic deductions, maybe simple investments. It’s free through myGov, pre-fills a lot of data by late July, and you lodge directly with the ATO. (moneysmart.gov.au)

Best for: salary/wage earners, students, simple returns.
Avoid if: you have rental properties, complex CGT/crypto, trust income, business income, or you’re unsure about deductions.

2. Etax — best online tax-agent style option

Etax is one of the best-known Australian online tax return services. It combines software with accountant review/support and lodges to the ATO for you; it promotes support from qualified accountants and checking for accuracy/compliance. (etax.com.au)

Best for: people who don’t want to DIY in myTax but still want an online process.
Good fit for: employees with deductions, investors, rental property owners, sole traders who want agent help.

3. H&R Block Online — best big-brand tax-agent option

H&R Block is a major tax-preparation brand in Australia, with online and in-person options. Its online portal is positioned for DIY-style online lodgement with support/tax-agent options available. (hrblock.com.au)

Best for: people who want a recognisable tax-agent brand and the option of online, phone/video, or office-based help.
Good fit for: standard individual returns, rentals, sole-trader returns, or anyone who prefers a bigger provider.

4. Xero — best overall for small business accounting

For Australian small businesses, Xero is the default recommendation in many accounting circles. It’s widely used by accountants/bookkeepers, and industry survey data shows Xero leading Australian general-ledger/accounting platform usage, ahead of MYOB and QuickBooks. (agilemarketintelligence.com.au)

Best for: growing small businesses, GST-registered businesses, businesses with payroll, and anyone working with an accountant/bookkeeper.
Downside: often more expensive than lighter sole-trader tools.

5. MYOB — best established Australian business option

MYOB is another major Australian business-accounting platform. It supports tax/GST features including GST calculation, BAS reporting and sending BAS to the ATO within the software; MYOB also says more than a million people in Australia and New Zealand trust their business with MYOB. (myob.com)

Best for: established small businesses, payroll, inventory, businesses already in the MYOB ecosystem.
Also consider: Solo by MYOB if you’re a one-person sole trader who mainly needs invoices, expenses and tax-time collaboration. (myob.com)

6. QuickBooks Online Australia — best Xero/MYOB alternative

QuickBooks Online is a strong alternative, especially if you like its interface or pricing. In Australia it supports GST tracking, BAS preparation and e-lodgement from QuickBooks. (quickbooks.intuit.com)

Best for: small businesses wanting cloud accounting, invoicing, GST/BAS and integrations without defaulting to Xero.
Good for: budget-conscious businesses comparing subscription prices.

7. Hnry — best for sole traders who hate admin

Hnry is not just bookkeeping software; it’s more like software plus tax-agent service for sole traders. It calculates and deducts tax as income is paid into your Hnry account, manages expenses, and lodges tax returns and BAS as part of the service. (hnry.com.au)

Best for: freelancers, contractors, NDIS workers, creatives, consultants, sole traders who want tax handled automatically.
Downside: pricing is based on a percentage of income, so higher-earning sole traders should compare the cost with Xero/MYOB + an accountant.

8. Rounded — best simple freelancer/sole-trader app

Rounded is Australian-made and aimed at freelancers and sole traders, with invoicing, accounting, GST tracking and BAS preparation. (help.rounded.com.au)

Best for: freelancers/sole traders who don’t need full Xero-style accounting.
Good for: invoicing, time tracking, expenses and simpler BAS prep.

9. Reckon — best budget/older-school Australian option

Reckon is a long-running Australian accounting/payroll brand. Its current products cover accounting, invoicing, payroll, STP and small-business compliance; it also promotes locally hosted data and being trusted for over 30 years. (reckon.com)

Best for: small businesses wanting a lower-cost accounting/payroll option, or users who already know Reckon/QuickBooks-style desktop accounting.

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What I’d choose

• Simple personal tax return: use ATO myTax first.
• Personal tax return but you want help: use Etax or H&R Block Online.
• Sole trader with simple invoicing: use Rounded or Solo by MYOB.
• Sole trader who wants tax handled automatically: use Hnry.
• Small business with GST/payroll/accountant: use Xero first, then compare MYOB and QuickBooks Online.
• Budget-conscious small business/payroll: compare Reckon.

One important point: if you pay someone to prepare or lodge your return, make sure they’re a registered tax agent. The TPB says registered tax agents lodged 61% of 2023–24 individual income tax returns, so using an agent is very normal in Australia, but you should still check registration. (tpb.gov.au)

If you’re in Australia, the most commonly used tax software for small business accounting and BAS/GST are Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks Online; they’re the main options cited for tracking GST and lodging BAS in Australia.

For Australian tax practices and accountants, the strongest brands in the results are TaxDome and Canopy for practice management, and CCH iFirm Tax for more advanced tax compliance.

A practical shortlist by use case:

• Xero — best all-round choice for many small Australian businesses; it’s widely used and listed as online accounting software for small businesses, sole traders, and accountants.
• MYOB — one of the main Australian business accounting options and commonly used for GST/BAS workflows.
• QuickBooks Online — another major option for Australian businesses; it’s listed as accounting and business management software and can handle sales tax returns and payments in-platform.
• TaxDome — best known for tax practice management; it has very strong review volume and is positioned as a platform for tax, accounting, and bookkeeping firms.
• Canopy — a solid alternative for firms needing all-in-one tax practice management.
• CCH iFirm Tax — better suited to accountants needing more advanced tax compliance capabilities.

If you mean personal tax returns rather than business accounting, the results I have are weaker for specifically Australia-focused consumer tax-filing software, so I’d be cautious about naming a clear winner from these sources alone. If you want, I can give you a top 5 list by use case: sole trader, BAS/GST, accountant practice, SMSF, or individual tax return.