Two million Australians face deadline for tax returns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 04:31 · Archive

Two million Australians have until November 2 to file tax returns or face fines up to $1,820.

The Australian Tax Office has warned that two million Australians must file their tax returns by November 2, with the traditional October 31 deadline falling on a Saturday. As of the previous Monday, nine million people had filed their returns.

Those who fail to lodge face fines starting at $364 for individuals, with an additional $364 added for every 28 days the return is late, up to a maximum of $1,820. Any amounts owing also incur interest at 11.51 per cent, compounded daily if no payment plan has been arranged or lodgement deferral requested. From mid-2025 onwards, these interest charges will no longer be tax deductible.

ATO assistant commissioner Anita Challen said the tax office had pre-filled most information taxpayers need, and that for straightforward cases it takes an average of eight minutes to lodge a return using myTax. The tax office has also blocked more than 10,000 tax returns this year with deductions worth $170 million from likely unregistered agents.

How it is being reported

• Tax office says two million returns still to be filed two weeks from deadlineA major deadline looms for two million Australians who face a possible four-figure fine if they don’t get their act together in time.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 03:56
• Tax office says two million returns still to be filed two weeks from deadlineA major deadline looms for two million Australians who face a possible four-figure fine if they don’t get their act together in time.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 03:56

In this story: Australian Tax Office · Anita Challen · Australia

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