DUTY FIRST TAX
Tributum Expeditus – ‘Tax Ready’
Every deduction. Every entitlement. Every time.
The Only Tax Service Exclusively For ADF Members
For Defence. No one else.
Duty First Tax prepares tax returns exclusively for current and former Australian Defence Force members. Army, Navy, Air Force, plus veterans and Defence families. Clear, compliant, Defence-aware tax support without civilian assumptions.
Situation
ADF members face complex tax terrain. Entitlements and deductions are being left with the ATO instead of being secured by you. Property ownership, shares & crypto add another layer of tactical complexity.
Mission
Duty First Tax is to tailor a Defence-specific tax return, NLT tax season, IOT DEFEND the ADF member from paying more tax than required.
Execution
Deploy tax expertise with military-grade precision
Translate military tax jargon into clear communication
Engage every entitlement, ensuring no benefit is left behind
Admin & Log
All returns processed with discipline and efficiency
Secure handling of financial data
Support available across all ranks, corps, and services
Command & Sig
Clear comms in your language - military shorthand, acronyms and direct orders
Mission reports (tax outcomes) delivered promptly and with transparency
Our Values
DUTY
LOYALTY
INTEGRITY
COMPETENCE
PRECISION
Founded by an ADF Officer. Built for every rank.
Our purpose is simple:
Give ADF members clarity. Stop tipping the ATO. Tailor a Defence-specific tax return that defends you from paying more tax than required.
Duty First Tax was born from a lived experience.
Our founder, Carla McDonald, spent 14 years in the Australian Regular Army - first as an Administrative Clerk, then as a Commissioned Officer after graduating from RMC. Even with solid numbers skills, she couldn't get clear answers on ADF claims - and every tax appointment began with her teaching the tax agent basic Defence terms.
If she was confused, she knew thousands of others were too.
With a Commerce background and a determination to understand the system properly, Carla dug into the intersection between Defence pay and tax law. The first mission was fixing her own tax returns. The second was realising how many ADF members were unknowingly ‘tipping’ the ATO.
That’s when Duty First Tax was created - a firm built exclusively for Defence.
Don’t Take Our Word For It
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First time using Duty First Tax. Was the easiest and quickest tax appointment I’ve ever had. Easy online forms, sent straight to my inbox. Easy to follow, easy to understand. Carla explained everything. Stephen was great and so accommodating with what I needed. Thank you to the team. I highly recommend. I will be using them every year.
— Monica C., Army -
I couldn't be more impressed with the level of service and professionalism demonstrated by Carla, Stephen and the Duty First Tax team. It was evident that client satisfaction is their top priority, and I have no reservations in recommending their services to members. I look forward to using Duty First Tax next financial year.
— Liam R., Air Force -
This place is the only tax service that caters to the needs of the Australian armed forces and our unique costs that come with service. The service they provided me with was such a high level, getting me even more back on my tax return. Extra returns I would not have been aware of. Easy to follow process and even easier to contact for questions and follow-ups.
— Malik P., Army
Our Services
Tax returns for ADF members only (Army, Navy, Air Force).
Duty First Tax prepares tax returns exclusively for current and former Australian Defence Force members who do not have time for costly mistakes.
Whether you are Army, Navy, or Air Force, we understand the realities of service life. Postings, deployments, allowances, dual households, relocations, and irregular schedules all affect your tax position. We specialise in identifying what applies to you and getting it lodged accurately, on time, and with maximum legitimate deductions.
We work with ADF members across every level of service, including:
Recruit and Officer Cadet
Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer
Second Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel
Commander, Commodore
Air Commodore, Wing Commander, Squadron Leader, Flight Lieutenant
Senior leadership and long-serving members transitioning out of Defence
If you have served, we can help. Simple returns, complex returns, property, side income, and multiple income streams. One specialist team, built around ADF experience.
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We lodge tax returns exclusively for current and former Australian Defence Force members, plus Defence families. That means Army tax returns, Navy tax returns, and Air Force tax returns. Nobody else.
Whether you are a Recruit, Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, or an Officer (from Lieutenant through to senior ranks), we make sure the tax return reflects how Defence actually works, including:
ADF allowances, deployments, field exercises, courses, and posting-related deductions, handled accurately and consistently.
Investment reporting across shares, dividends, ETFs, and managed funds, so everything is captured correctly and defensibly.
Guidance through ATO and Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) requirements, including CSC invalidity classifications (Class A, B, C), retrospective medical discharge matters, military invalidity pensions, and the complex tax treatment of DFRDB, MSBS, and CSC pensions that many ex-serving members get stuck on.
If your return involves multiple income types, postings, deployments, investments, or pensions, you are in the right place.
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Own an investment property while serving? We handle property tax returns for ADF members across Army, Navy, and Air Force, including current and ex-serving members.
Whether you are a Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, or an Officer, we prepare the property section of your tax return with the realities of ADF life in mind, including:
Full treatment of rental income, loan interest, property expenses, and depreciation (including investor schedules where relevant).
Clear handling of posting-related complexities, such as relocations, time away, changing circumstances, and record-keeping disruptions that can happen around postings and deployments.
End-to-end completion of the entire property component of your return, done by a team that actually understands how Defence service can affect the details.
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Earning extra income while you serve, or after you have discharged? We prepare sole trader tax returns for ADF and ex-ADF members across Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Whether you are a Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, or an Officer, we make sure your side income is reported cleanly and correctly, without it turning into a stressful admin project.
For ADF and ex-ADF members earning additional income through personal training, coaching, trades, online business, contracting, or other self-employed work.
Compliant, organised reporting of income and expenses, so you can lodge with confidence and avoid avoidable ATO issues.
Clear guidance without the “PME-level overwhelm” or jargon, just straightforward steps and Defence-aware support.
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For veterans navigating life after service, we provide specialist tax support for ex-serving Australian Defence Force members across Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Specialist handling of CSC, DVA, and ATO complexities, including invalidity classifications (Class A, B, C), medical discharges, retrospective discharges, backdated assessments, and the unique tax treatment of DFRDB, MSBS, and CSC pensions.
Full support for transition-related income, including civilian employment, contracting, training, relocation, and any residual ADF payments that can still flow after discharge.
Veteran-focused support that does not require you to translate Defence life, because we already understand allowances, deployments, field exercises, postings, and the ADF career structure across ranks, from Private and Corporal through to Sergeant, Warrant Officer, and commissioned Officers.
If you are looking for a specialist veteran tax agent for ADF pensions and CSC matters, you are in the right place.
ADF Member With a Property? This is Built For You.
You serve. You move. You post. Your tax return should not fall apart every time Defence changes your location.
This service is for ADF members who own investment property, across Army, Navy, and Air Force. Whether you are a Recruit, Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer, or an Officer, we handle the property side properly, without civilian assumptions.
You need someone who understands Defence life and property tax, not a generic tax agent who treats you like a civilian.
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Accurate reporting of rental income and rental expenses
Interest, depreciation, capital works, repairs and maintenance (and more) handled correctly
Posting-related impacts accounted for, including renting out your home, changing tenants, and interstate moves
Clear guidance on what you can claim, what you cannot, and what the ATO will expect
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Your postings are not “normal”. Your living-away-from-home patterns are not normal.
Across Army, Navy, and Air Force, ADF members at every rank, from Private to Officer, often face a higher risk of errors on their tax returns because property claims get complicated fast, and the ATO expects clean records.
You need someone who understands Defence life and property tax, not a generic tax agent who treats you like a civilian.
Got questions about your Defence tax return?
Stop tipping the ATO ♔
Tax Exclusively for Defence ♔
Stop tipping the ATO ♔ Tax Exclusively for Defence ♔
Your Entitlements Aren't Going to Claim Themselves.
If you’re done explaining Defence to your tax agent, join the waitlist.
SPOTS ARE LIMITED