A tax return status of "in progress – under review" means the ATO has paused automatic processing to manually check something, and there's no fixed number of days it takes — most finish within a few weeks, but complex cases can take longer. It's a routine part of processing for a meaningful share of returns each year, not a sign that something is necessarily wrong. This is one of the more anxiety-inducing statuses AusTax AI's clients ask about, even though it's usually nothing to worry about.
What does "under review" actually mean?
myGov shows your return's status as it moves through processing, and the labels matter: "in progress – processing" means the return is going through the ATO's standard automated checks, while "in progress – under review" means it's been pulled aside for a person, or a more detailed automated check, to look at something specific before the assessment can be finalised.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| In progress – Processing | Standard automated processing, no flags raised |
| In progress – Under review | A specific item has been flagged for closer checking |
| In progress – Balancing account | Assessment calculated; ATO is checking for other debts to offset |
| Issued | Processing complete; Notice of Assessment has been sent |
What triggers a manual review?
The ATO doesn't publish an exhaustive list, but commonly cited triggers include a mismatch between what you reported and third-party data (employer, bank, or share registry figures), a first-time lodgment with no prior return history, deduction claims that look unusually high relative to your income or occupation, or your return being selected as part of the ATO's routine compliance sampling. Lodging very early in July — before most employers and banks have finished reporting — can also mean your return is checked more closely simply because less third-party data exists yet to automatically confirm it against. None of these mean you did something wrong — they mean the ATO's systems want a closer look before finalising.
How long does a review actually take?
There's no ATO-guaranteed timeframe, and it genuinely varies with what's being checked — a straightforward mismatch might resolve within a couple of weeks, while a return needing information from a third party (like an employer confirming a figure) can take longer. In short, the safest approach is to keep checking your myGov status periodically rather than assume a specific date.
Should I contact the ATO while it's under review?
If it's been under review for what feels like an unusually long time, contacting the ATO directly is reasonable — they can tell you whether they're waiting on something from you specifically (in which case you'll usually also get a letter or myGov message asking for it) or whether it's simply still in their queue. AusTax AI's dashboard shows your case's status alongside the ATO's own, so a Tax Agent client isn't relying on manually refreshing myGov to know something has moved.
What should you do while waiting?
- Check myGov for any request for additional information — don't assume "under review" alone means you need to act
- Keep records of anything you claimed that might reasonably attract a closer look (large deductions, first-time business income, etc.)
- Compare your own figures against your Notice of Assessment once it arrives — see our guide on why the refund estimate differs from the final assessment
- Don't lodge an amendment while the original return is still under review unless the ATO specifically asks for one
Once your assessment is issued, our guide on reading your Notice of Assessment covers what each line means. If you're weighing up whether lodging earlier or later in the FY2025-26 window affects your chances of a smooth run, see our guide on when you can lodge your tax return.
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*Disclaimer: This is general information only and does not constitute personal tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent for advice tailored to your specific situation. Always verify against the latest ATO guidelines at ato.gov.au.*
*This is general information only, not personal tax advice. Only the ATO can confirm why a specific return is under review or how long yours will take — contact them directly or work with a Registered Tax Agent if you need to follow up.*