ATO late lodgement penalty: up to $364 per 28 days, capped at $1,820 per document · interest 11.43% p.a. compounding daily · See how to remit them →
ATO processing times by lodgment method
| Lodgment method | Typical processing time | Refund in your bank |
|---|---|---|
| myTax (online) | Up to 2 weeks | Often 7 to 12 business days |
| Registered tax agent | Up to 2 weeks | Often 7 to 12 business days |
| Paper return | Up to 50 business days (about 10 weeks) | Add postage time |
| Amended return | Up to 20 business days online | After the reassessment issues |
| Prior-year or overdue returns | 2 weeks to several weeks | Longer if multiple years are lodged together |
The clock starts when the ATO receives the return. You'll know it's done when your notice of assessment appears in myGov, and the refund usually lands within days of that.
The 9 reasons your refund is delayed
- Pre-fill mismatch: you lodged in early July before employer and bank data finalised, and your figures don't match what institutions reported. The single most common cause, avoided by lodging once pre-fill is complete.
- Manual review of deductions: claims outside the ATO's benchmarks for your occupation and income get human eyes.
- You have a debt: ATO, Centrelink, child support or court fines can be offset against your refund before payment.
- Outstanding prior-year returns: the ATO can hold your refund until overdue years are lodged.
- Identity verification: new bank details, recent fraud flags, or first-time lodgers.
- Incorrect bank details: a rejected transfer restarts the payment cycle.
- Insolvency or bankruptcy on record.
- Duplicate or amended lodgment: a second submission suspends the first.
- Peak-season volume: July and August lodgments run slower than October's.
Most reviews clear themselves within 30 days without you doing anything. If the ATO needs something, they'll request it via myGov, so respond fast because the clock pauses while they wait. Holding your refund behind unlodged years? Start with the overdue tax returns guide.
How to check exactly where your return is
myGov, then ATO online services, then Manage tax returns. The status codes, decoded:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| In progress - Processing | Normal, no action needed |
| In progress - Information pending | The ATO is waiting on third-party data |
| In progress - Under review | Manual check of your return, can add weeks |
| In progress - Balancing account | Nearly done, calculating refund against any debts |
| Extra processing time required | Something flagged, a call may be worth it after 30 days |
| Issued | Notice of assessment ready, refund on its way |
Only call the ATO once 30 days (online) or 10 weeks (paper) have passed. Earlier calls get you the same status you can already see.
Overdue and multi-year returns: what changes
Lodging several years at once? Each return is assessed separately, and the ATO often processes them sequentially, oldest first, so a five-year catch-up can take several weeks end to end. Refunds from every year are still paid in full, but any failure to lodge penalties or accrued interest are netted off first. Full walkthrough: I haven't done my tax for 5 years.
ATO processing timeframes checked July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a tax return take in Australia?
How long does it take to get your tax refund after the notice of assessment?
Why is my tax return taking longer than 2 weeks?
Does lodging with a tax agent speed up processing?
Can the ATO hold my refund because of old unlodged returns?
General information only - not personal tax, financial or legal advice. Consider your own circumstances or speak to a registered tax agent. Remission of penalties or interest and payment plans are decisions of the ATO and outcomes can't be guaranteed.