Tax time has a habit of arriving quickly. One minute it is July and you are thinking you have plenty of time; the next, October is approaching and that tax return is still sitting on the to-do list.
If you prepare and lodge your own individual tax return, 31 October is normally the date to remember. There is a small difference in 2026, however. Because 31 October falls on a Saturday, the deadline moves to the next business day — Monday 2 November 2026.
At Hills Accounting Hobart, we think the better approach is not to regard those extra couple of days as a reason to wait. Getting organised early gives you time to find missing information, check your figures and deal with any questions before the deadline arrives.
What if you use a registered tax agent?
The rules can be different if you use a registered tax agent.
Registered tax agents generally have access to a special ATO lodgment program that allows some of their clients to lodge later than the standard 31 October deadline. Your particular due date will depend on your circumstances.
There is an important catch, though. If you are using a tax agent for the first time, or changing to a different tax agent, you should contact them before 31 October to ensure you can be included in their lodgment program.
So even if your eventual lodgment date is later, October is still an important month to have your arrangements sorted out.
The ATO provides information covering due dates for lodging and paying your tax return, including the 31 October date, tax-agent arrangements, late lodgment and payment dates. Simply use this link: ATO – Due dates for lodging and paying your tax return
What happens if you miss the deadline?
Missing a tax return deadline does not mean an automatic penalty will immediately land in your letterbox.
The ATO says it generally does not apply failure-to-lodge penalties in isolated cases of late lodgment and considers individual circumstances when deciding what action to take.
That does not mean an overdue return should be ignored. If you have missed your due date, the best course is usually to deal with it as soon as possible rather than allowing it to remain outstanding.
This is particularly important if you expect to owe tax, because delaying the return does not necessarily delay when the resulting tax debt becomes payable.
What if your tax return leaves you with a bill?
For people who lodge their own return between 1 July and 31 October and receive a tax bill, the usual payment date is 21 November, unless the assessment is issued after 31 October. Different dates may apply when your return is lodged through a registered tax agent.
And what if you simply do not have enough available cash to pay the bill when it falls due?
That is a different problem — and one that should not stop you getting your return lodged.
We’ll look at ATO payment plans and what you can do if you can’t pay your tax bill on time in our next article.
If your tax return is still sitting on the to-do list, now is a good time to get your paperwork together and speak with Hills Accounting Hobart rather than waiting until the end of October.
Remember, this article is general in nature and doesn’t take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs.
For advice tailored to your circumstances, have a chat with us at Hills Accounting Hobart.
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