Knowing how long you have to lodge your individual, company, super or trust tax returns is tricky and differs greatly depending on your circumstances.
If your tax return is lodged by the 31st of October, then regardless of your circumstances the ATO will not fine you with a failure to lodge (FLT) penalty.
However, there are longer time periods that you can get depending on your circumstances and these differ for individuals, companies, self-managed super funds (SMSF) or trusts.
Lodgement Due Dates for Australian Tax Returns
This table outlines the ATO’s lodgement program for individuals, trusts, companies, SMSFs, and partnerships. The due dates may vary depending on compliance history, income thresholds, or entity type.
| Features |
Oct 31st |
Jan 31st |
Feb 28th |
Mar 31st |
May 15th |
Jun 5th |
| Individual |
If tax returns are late or prosecuted. |
|
|
If tax liability > $20,000 |
For all other individuals not due earlier or eligible for concession. |
Individual returns due on May 15th get auto extension to June 5th |
| Trust |
If tax returns are late or prosecuted. |
Large and medium trusts where the trust was taxable in latest year lodged |
Large and medium trusts (over $10 million) where the trust was non-taxable in last FY or new registrant |
If tax liability > $20,000 for small trusts |
For all other trusts not due earlier or eligible for concession. |
Trust returns due on May 15th get auto extension to June 5th |
| Company |
If tax returns are late or prosecuted. |
Large and medium taxpayers whose previous tax return was taxable |
|
If income > $2 million |
All remaining entities that are tax agent clients |
|
| SMSF |
If tax returns are late or prosecuted. |
Large and medium taxpayers whose previous tax return was taxable |
New registrant |
|
All remaining entities that are tax agent clients |
|
| Partnership |
Due unless tax agent specifies otherwise |
|
|
|
|
|
Note: These dates apply to clients managed under the tax agent lodgement program. Variations may occur based on ATO discretion, compliance history, and registration status.
When are my individual tax return dates?
If you are not using a tax agent, then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- If one or more tax returns were outstanding or the tax return was prosecuted for non-lodgement then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- If your tax liability (tax owed) is greater than $20,000 then the tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of March.
- For all other individuals where the tax return lodgement is not due earlier and is not eligible for a concession then your tax return is due by the 15th of May.
When is a trust’s tax return dates?
- If you are not using a tax agent, then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- If one or more tax returns were outstanding or the tax return was prosecuted for non-lodgement then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- For large and medium trusts (annual total income is greater than $10 million in the last financial year lodged) if the trust was taxable in the previous financial year, then the tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of January.
- For large and medium trusts that were non-taxable in the previous financial year, then the tax return lodgement is due by the 28th of February.
- For small trusts (annual total income between $2 million and $10 million in the last financial year lodged) whose last financial year’s return was greater than $20,000 then the lodgement is due by the 31st of March.
- For all other trusts where the tax return lodgement is not due earlier and is not eligible for a concession then the tax return is due by the 15th of May
When is a company’s tax return due?
- If you are not using a tax agent, then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- If one or more tax returns were outstanding or the tax return was prosecuted for non-lodgement then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- For large and medium taxpayers (which can be found here) Whose previous tax return was taxable, the tax return must be lodged by the 31st of January.
- If your company is a new registrant, or for large and medium taxpayers, if the tax return was non-taxable in the previous financial year then the tax return lodgement is due by the 28th of February.
- If the companies total annual income is greater than $2 million in the previous financial year then the tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of March.
- For all other companies that are tax agent clients, the tax return lodgement is due by the 15th of May.
When is my tax return due for my SMSF?
- If you are not using a tax agent, then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- If one or more tax returns were outstanding or the tax return was prosecuted for non-lodgement then your tax return lodgement is due by the 31st of October.
- For large and medium taxpayers whose previous tax return was taxable, the tax return must be lodged by the 31st of January.
- If your SMSF is a new registrant, then the tax return lodgement is due by the 28th of February.
- For all remaining SMSFs that are tax agent clients, the tax return lodgement is due by the 15th of May.
When is my partnership tax return due?
Partnership tax returns must be lodged before the individual tax returns of the partners. This means the partnership return is due before the earliest lodgement date of any of the partners.
For example, if Person A has a lodgement due date of 15 May, and Person B has outstanding tax returns and is required to lodge by 31 October, then the partnership tax return must be lodged before 31 October, which is the earliest of the two partners’ lodgement deadlines in this case.
How does the tax return concession work and does it apply to me?
For individuals, partnerships (if also individuals) and trusts, if the lodgement date is due on the 15th of May, then the ATO states that despite the lodgement due date of the 15th of May, the individual or trust can lodge it up to the 5th of June and not face the FLT penalty. Where the concession does not apply is to any of the individuals, partnerships or trusts who have earlier lodgement dates than the 15th of May.
Need help with your tax return?
CTK Accounting is a full-scope accounting firm based in Wollongong, servicing clients nationally.
For advice on Tax, BAS, GST, Bookkeeping, and Payroll issues visit us at ctkaccounting.com.au
