How to Lodge a Late Tax Return in Australia

To lodge a late tax return in Australia, you have two options: lodge it yourself through myGov/myTax, or use a registered tax agent who can access your ATO records, recover missing income data and request penalty remission on your behalf. For anything more than one slightly-late return, the agent route is faster, safer and usually cheaper once penalties are factored in.

Step 1: Find out exactly what's outstanding

Many people lodge the wrong years or miss one entirely. A registered tax agent like TaxNudge can see your complete lodgement status in the ATO portal within minutes of receiving your authority - every outstanding return, BAS, and any penalties or debts already on your account.

Step 2: Rebuild your income records

You don't need old payslips or group certificates. The ATO's pre-fill system holds your employer income, bank interest, dividends, Centrelink payments, private health data and more, going back many years. We pull it directly and match it against anything you do have, so nothing is missed and nothing is overstated.

Step 3: Lodge - strategically

Order matters. Lodging all outstanding years together, paired with a properly argued remission request, gives the ATO a clean compliance story and gives you the best chance of penalties being reduced or removed. If any year didn't actually require a return, we lodge a non-lodgement advice instead so your record shows as fully up to date.

What about the deadline extension?

Returns lodged through a tax agent get extended deadlines - as late as 15 May the following year - but only if you're on the agent's client list before 31 October. That's another reason to engage an agent now rather than after the ATO comes knocking.

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.