If you lodge your own Australian tax return, the deadline is 31 October for the income year that ended on 30 June, or the next business day if it falls on a weekend. If you use a registered tax agent, they can usually lodge later, as long as you've engaged them before 31 October.
The Australian tax year runs from 1 July to 30 June, and the lodgment deadline is 31 October. But that's only the whole story if you do it all yourself, without an agent. Use a registered tax agent and your deadline can stretch well into the following year. Here are the ATO's dates, the rules behind them and the two catches that cancel the agent extension.
The key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 July | The new tax time opens for the income year that just ended |
| 31 October | Lodgment deadline if you lodge your own return |
| 21 November | Payment due if you lodged yourself by 31 October and owe tax |
| Later dates | Possible if you engaged a registered tax agent before 31 October |
If 31 October falls on a weekend, the ATO says the due date is the next business day.
Using a tax agent: the extension
Registered tax agents have special lodgment schedules. Under the ATO's agent lodgment program, many individuals' returns can be lodged as late as 15 May the following year, and there's a 5 June concession for eligible returns that would otherwise be due 15 May, provided any payment is made by then too.
Two catches. First, you must engage the agent before 31 October: signing up in November doesn't get you the extension. Second, people who had one or more earlier returns still outstanding at 30 June must lodge by 31 October even through an agent. Past late lodgment cancels the benefit for that year.
When you have to pay
If you lodge your own return between 1 July and 31 October and it shows a tax bill, payment is due by 21 November. If your assessment is issued after 31 October, payment is due 21 days after it's issued. Interest can apply to amounts still owing after the due date, so if you expect a bill, lodging early doesn't move the payment date forward but does give you time to plan.
Lodging with myTax
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- For all individuals and sole traders lodging their own return.
- Much of your information is pre-filled.
- You get a lodgment receipt by email.
- You can also lodge a non-lodgment advice if you don't need to lodge.
You need a myGov account linked to the ATO. myTax also handles earlier years, from the 2016 income year onwards.
What if you miss 31 October?
The ATO's advice is straightforward: if you can't lodge by 31 October, contact it as soon as possible, and if you've missed the date, lodge as soon as you can. If you're expecting a refund, it can't be paid until you lodge. If you owe, the sooner you lodge, the sooner the bill is settled and interest stops.
Getting ready before 31 October
- Gather your income information from employers, banks and any other payers.
- Gather receipts for work-related deductions.
- If you have side income or a business, total it from your own records.
- Decide whether you'll lodge yourself or use a registered agent, and if it's an agent, book them before 31 October.
- Lodge, then keep the email receipt.
Many people find their return is mostly pre-filled in myTax once employers and banks have reported their information. Check every pre-filled figure against your own records rather than accepting it blindly, and add any income the ATO doesn't know about, such as cash jobs or online sales.
Refunds
If you're due money back, the timing is in your hands: the ATO can't pay a refund until you lodge. Lodging online through myTax is the quickest route for most people, and the lodgment receipt confirms it's in.
Do you need to lodge at all?
Not everyone does. If you don't need to lodge, you can tell the ATO through a non-lodgment advice in myTax. Doing this tells the ATO not to expect a return for that year.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Lodging returns from earlier years
If you've got older returns outstanding, myTax can lodge them from the 2016 income year onwards. It's worth catching up before you need an agent's extension, because the ATO's agent program requires anyone with an earlier return outstanding at 30 June to lodge by 31 October anyway. Clearing old years first puts you back on the later timetable for the next one.
Sole traders
Sole traders lodge an individual tax return including their business income, with the same 31 October deadline if they lodge themselves. Many use a registered tax agent for the extra time and help. If you're registered for GST, remember your BAS deadlines run separately from your tax return.
My verdict
Doing it yourself? Lodge by 31 October and pay by 21 November. Using an agent? Book them before 31 October to get their later dates, and make sure earlier returns are up to date, or the extension won't apply to you. For earning on the side in Australia, see Amazon KDP in Australia and my freelancing tips.
Frequently asked questions
When is the tax return deadline in Australia?
31 October if you lodge your own return, or the next business day if it falls on a weekend.
Can I lodge my tax return later than 31 October?
Yes, if you engage a registered tax agent before 31 October. Agents have special lodgment schedules.
When is my tax bill due?
By 21 November if you lodged yourself by 31 October. If your assessment issues later, 21 days after it's issued.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Contact the ATO as soon as possible and lodge as soon as you can.
Can I use myTax as a sole trader?
Yes. myTax is available for all individuals and sole traders lodging their own return.
