Tax return deadline: When is my tax return due?
Your 2023/24 tax return is due by 31 October 2024 if you're lodging online, or mid May 2025 if you're using a tax agent.
Key takeaways
- The deadline to lodge a tax return for the 2023-24 financial year is 31 October 2024.
- If you use a registered tax agent you have until early 2025. But you still need to register with an agent by 31 October.
- But even if you've missed the deadline you can still submit tax returns for past years.
When is the tax return deadline?
The tax return deadline if you’re lodging your tax return yourself is October 31, 2024 (read our comparison on lodging yourself versus using a tax agent).
But if you lodge your tax return through a registered tax agent, you'll get some extra time. Tax agents have a special facility with the ATO that allows them to lodge a return on your behalf after the October 31 deadline. But you need to be registered with a tax agent by October 31 to take advantage of this extended deadline.
If you haven't yet registered with a tax agent and you've missed the deadline, make an appointment to lodge your return anyway – it's better to lodge it late than to not lodge it at all.
While the deadline for lodging through a tax agent varies depending on your personal circumstances, you potentially have until mid-May the following year to lodge your return – an extension of more than six months when compared to the normal deadline.
Finder survey: How do Australians file their taxes at different ages?
| Response | Gen Z | Gen Y | Gen X | Baby Boomers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I do it myself | 52.81% | 56.25% | 42.76% | 28.98% |
| I use an accountant | 30.34% | 32.88% | 40.79% | 32.95% |
| I don't file taxes | 6.74% | 2.99% | 7.57% | 32.39% |
| I use a specialist service (eg. HR Block) | 5.62% | 4.35% | 5.92% | 3.41% |
| A family member or friend does it on my behalf | 3.37% | 3.26% | 2.96% | 2.27% |
| Other | 1.12% | 0.27% |
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023
Who sets the tax return deadline?
The income tax return deadline is set by the ATO. As the Australian Government’s principal revenue collection agency, it’s the ATO’s job to collect tax from all income-earning Australians. The deadline is in place to ensure that all taxpayers pay the money they owe the government in a timely fashion, and that you receive any refund you may be entitled to.
Possible reasons for missing the tax return deadline
There are several reasons why you might have missed the ATO’s tax return deadline, such as:
- You were travelling overseas and didn’t submit your return in time
- You didn’t realise you needed to file a tax return until it was too late
- You forgot to file your return in time
- You were worried you would be burdened with a tax debt that you’d be unable to afford
- You failed to lodge because you were suffering from a serious illness
- You failed to lodge due to a natural disaster
- You failed to lodge due to a family breakdown
What to do if you miss the deadline
If the deadline has passed and you haven’t filed your return, the best thing you can do is lodge your return with the ATO as soon as possible. A tax agents can help you lodge any late tax returns you have. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you may be hit with a late lodgement penalty – and this penalty increases the longer you wait to submit your return.
The good news is that, if you have a good history of lodging your returns and paying any ATO debts on time, you may be able to avoid the late lodgment penalty. However, you will need to have a good reason for missing the deadline, and the sooner after the deadline you lodge your return the better.
Expert insight: Why your tax return actually helps you
"Most people earning an income in Australia will need to lodge a tax return, and while this comes with some administration work, it also comes with an opportunity. When you use the rules to your advantage, you'll keep more of your hard-earned income and get ahead faster. Like anything worthwhile, tax planning is a skill set you build over time, and building your knowledge is the first step. "
What penalties apply if you miss the tax return deadline?
If you fail to lodge a return or statement with the ATO on time, you may need to pay a failure to lodge (FTL) penalty. For individuals, the FTL penalty is calculated at the rate of one penalty unit for each period of 28 days (or part thereof) that your return is overdue, up to a maximum of 5 penalty units. This fine is calculated at the rate of one penalty unit for each period of 28 days or part thereof that the document is overdue, up to a maximum of five penalty units.
The value of a penalty unit is currently $330 (from 1 July 2024) per 28 day period.
So if you’re late lodging your return for the 2023-24 financial year, the following fees could apply:
- If your return is up to 28 days late: $330 fine
- If your return is 29-56 days late: $660 fine
- If your return is 57-84 days late: $990 fine
- If your return is 85-112 days late: $1,320 fine
- If your return is more than 112 days late: $1,650
If you’ve failed to lodge your return in time, the ATO will notify you in writing or over the phone. The ATO also doesn’t generally apply penalties in isolated cases of late lodgement, and will take your personal circumstances and history of compliance into account before deciding on the best course of action.
In addition, if you lodge your return after the deadline and incur a debt, the ATO will charge you interest on that debt from the date it was due until you end up paying it. The general interest charge (GIC) rate that applies to unpaid tax liabilities is reviewed quarterly, and currently sits at around 11%.
Frequently asked questions about the tax return deadline
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Due to a horrible year in which our daughter passed away, we have not lodged our tax return as yet. Our accoutnant has recieved all the paperwork but needs two weeks to complete. Will this be a problem?
Hi Jeff,
I’m sorry for your loss.
It shouldn’t be a problem if you’re lodging your return with a tax agent. The ATO states that it does apply discretion with late returns, saying this on its website:
“We recognise that sometimes people don’t meet their lodgment obligations on time, even with the best intentions. Generally, we don’t apply penalties in isolated cases of late lodgment. We consider your circumstances when deciding what action to take.”
Given your circumstances, there shouldn’t be a problem with lodging your return a bit late this year.
I hope this helps,
Alison
I have a friend who has several years’ outstanding tax returns that he needs to lodge. He is working on getting his info together but is ‘dragging his feet’, despite being ‘nagged’ by me and our close group of friends to get his act together. He plans to travel overseas on a holiday in the next couple of months, and someone else has told us that he could be stopped from departing Australia on his holiday because he has outstanding tax returns. I hadn’t heard of this before, so thought it best to check with someone who might actually know. Any clarification you can give will be much appreciated.
Hi Concerned friend,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Yes, the ATO has the power to stop a taxpayer from leaving the country if they have outstanding tax returns or they owe a tax debt. So, there’s a chance for your friend from being stopped from leaving the country. The ATO can issue Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) and this order would require you to fully pay the tax debt before your friend can leave the country again.
However, please note that the DPO is not automatically created for people who have a tax debt. For this reason, if the ATO hasn’t issued a DPO for your friend, then your friend might still be able to leave the country.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua