Specialist tax services for Australian Defence Force personnel, veterans, and Defence families.
Explore Our Services
Your tax return deserves more than a generic accountant who doesn't understand Defence.
We specialise in Defence tax returns, ADF-specific deductions, military allowances, deployment entitlements, investment property claims, and the complex tax treatment that comes with serving in the Australian Defence Force. From Medicare Levy exemptions to DFRDB, MSBS, and CSC pension reporting, we handle what other tax agents can't, because we already understand your world.
Our Services
Tax Returns ONLY for current of previous ADF Members who don’t have time for costly mistakes
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We work exclusively with ADF members, ex-ADF, and Defence families. Nobody else.
All ADF allowances, deployments, field, courses, and posting-related deductions handled accurately
Investment portfolios such as shares, dividends, ETFs and managed funds - we ensure that it is all reported correctly
Navigate ATO & CSC requirements on your behalf - including CSC invalidity classifications (Class A, B, C), retrospective medical discharge issues, military invalidity pensions, and the complex tax treatment of DFRDB and MSBS and CSC pensions that many ex-ADF members struggle to manage.
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For ADF members who own investment property
Full treatment of rental income, interest, expenses, depreciation, and posting related complexities
We handle the entire property section of your return - done by someone who actually understands how ADF life affects it.
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For ADF/Ex ADF members earning extra income (PT, coaching, trades, online business, contracting etc)
Clean, compliant reporting without the PME-level overwhelm
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For veterans navigating life after service
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 civvie employment, contracting, training, relocation, and any residual ADF payments that still flow after discharge.
Veteran-focused tax support - we already understand the allowances, deployments, field, postings and career structures that shaped your in-service and ex-service ADF income. You don't need to translate anything
Three Service Tiers. One Mission.
The Right Fit for Your Stage of Service.
We don't do one-size-fits-all Defence tax returns. Our Service Tiers are built around where you're at in your ADF career and how complex your tax situation is, whether that's a straightforward individual return or a multi-property, sole-trader Defence tax return with years of entitlements to sort through.
Once you join the waitlist, we take a focused look at your circumstances and allocate you to the Tier that best supports your needs and mission ahead. You don't need to pick; we'll place you where you belong.
Tier 1
‘Fresh Off Kapooka’
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The early career soldier (give or take) who's just marched off the parade ground, conquered their IETs, and told mum and dad, ''I've got this''. You're settling into Defence life, building your kit, and enjoying the freedom of your first real pay. You're the type who loves a bit of gucci gear — the Jetboil, the fancy knife, and the boots your mate swears by — and you're not shy about upgrading your setup each year.
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No major investments yet, no property portfolio (for now). You've got a straightforward tax situation with a handful of deductions, some work-related expenses, and the occasional ''I'll deal with admin later'' attitude — because life's too short when the section are cracking beers.
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Individual ADF tax return
All ADF allowances, field, courses, and posting-related deductions
Work-related expenses (uniforms, equipment, self-education)
Medicare Levy exemption correctly applied
Shares, dividends, or managed funds (if applicable)
Tier 2
‘The Junior Thruster’
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The JNCO or Junior Officer who's finally found their stride — charging hard, taking on responsibility, and learning leadership the classic ADF way: by making more mistakes, faster, and with confidence. You're juggling PME, dog & ponies, and trying to stay off the duty roster, so outsourcing your pers admin is a tactical decision, not a luxury.
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You've levelled up from the simple recruit life — now you've got a rental property, a side hustle, or a small sole trader gig that suddenly makes tax a whole lot more…involved. You're earning more, spending more, and realising that the ATO doesn't care that you were on course all month.
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Everything in Tier 1, plus:
Investment property (rental income, expenses, depreciation, posting-related impacts)
Side hustle or sole trader income (PT, coaching, trades, online business, contracting)
More complex deduction strategies across multiple income streams
DHOAS, HPAS, HPSEA — correctly treated and reported
Tier 3
‘The Old Faithful’
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The SNCO or Officer who's been around long enough to have seen every version of Defence chaos — and somehow still shows up squared away, calm, and already two steps ahead. You're the one in the group who actually does have your stuff on one sock, even if you still complain like you don't.
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You've built a life outside the wire too: multiple rental properties, a sizeable sole-trader or contractor setup, investments, allowances, deployments, and a tax situation that would make a Tier 1 cry. You've accumulated enough financial moving parts that the ATO practically needs a map and a compass to follow you.
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Everything in Tier 1 and 2, plus:
Multiple investment properties and complex depreciation schedules
Larger sole-trader or contractor operations
CSC invalidity classifications (Class A, B, C), DFRDB, MSBS, and CSC pension treatment
Discharge or transition-year returns (ADF + civilian split)
Full strategic review to minimise your tax position year-on-year
1943
Sydney, Australia
Overcome with excitement, a woman interrupted the march of the 9th Australian division.
Image credit: The War Memorial Australia
“Amazing service. My first time using Duty First Tax and they were really helpful and thorough with their tax advice. The process was really straightforward as they tailor their tax advice depending on your Corps, which was excellent in knowing what you can claim. Found out a few things I didn’t know too! Looking forward to using them again in the next FY.”
Repeat ClientHow It Works
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JOIN THE WAITLIST
Secure your spot. It takes 30 seconds, no obligation, no commitment. -
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WE ASSESS YOUR SITUATION
We review your tax circumstances, confirm your Service Tier and walk you through exactly what we need to help you stop tipping the ATO. -
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SEND US YOUR DOCS
Follow our simple, step-by-step prompts tailored to your Corps or Service. We’ll guide you every step of the way so you’re never left with questions.
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WE LODGE, YOU RELAX
Your Defence tax return is prepared, reviewed and lodged by a registered tax agent who already speaks your language. ETA: 2 weeks (up to 3 in peak times)
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