Tax return deadlines

In Australia, the tax return deadline varies depending on various factors, such as the type of taxpayer you are and whether you are lodging the return yourself or through a registered tax agent. Below are the general deadlines for individuals and businesses.

Individuals

The standard tax year in Australia runs from July 1st to June 30th of the following year.

If you are lodging your tax return yourself, the deadline is typically October 31st following the end of the financial year.

If you are using a registered tax agent, you may have a different due date. Registered tax agents have special lodgment schedules and can submit returns for their clients later than the standard October 31st deadline, often this can be as late as May 15th of the following year, provided you are registered with the tax agent prior to the October 31st deadline and you have not been listed for earlier lodgment by the ATO.

Businesses

Small businesses lodging their own returns also have a deadline of October 31st.

For businesses using a tax agent, the deadlines can vary, but often fall into quarterly periods for activity statements or can be as late as February, March, or May in the year following the end of the tax year, depending on the business's circumstances and the tax agent's lodgment program.

Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) generally have a deadline of February 28th/29th of the following year if they are lodging their own return, or they can follow the tax agent lodgment program if using a tax agent.

It is important to note that if the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, the due date is then the next business day.

To avoid penalties and interests, it is crucial for taxpayers to either lodge their tax returns by these deadlines or, if expecting to be late, to contact the ATO to possibly arrange an extension or explain the situation.