Tax time is when Australians report their income for the financial year, claim deductions and pay off any tax owed to the ATO. Many people look up “tax returns due Australia” or even “when are income taxes due”, showing the confusion that exists around the dates. The process itself is pretty simple, though the dates aren’t always clear.
Self-lodgers must meet one deadline, while those using a registered tax agent may face another timetable under the ATO’s lodgement programme. For this reason, many sole traders and small business owners turn to professionals. Understanding the dates is important. With rules changing and more people using digital payroll systems, working with a registered tax pro can help you get your returns completed, accurate and lodged on time.
Tax Returns Due Australia: Key Deadlines for 2026
Know your ATO lodgement dates to avoid penalty charges and get your return processed quickly. The key deadlines for the 2025-26 financial year are broken down below:
- Standard ATO Lodgement Date (Self-Lodgers)
For those lodging their own tax return through myGov without a registered tax agent, the ATO’s standard deadline is 31 October 2026. This date applies to:
- Employees
- Sole traders who self-lodge
- Contractors not listed under a tax agent
- Anyone submitting independently
If 31 October falls on a weekend or public holiday, the ATO accepts lodgement on the next business day.
Source: ATO – Lodge your tax return online
Please Note: Currently, the ATO has 31 October as the standard lodgement deadline for self-lodgers (non-registered agents) for the previous financial year (e.g., for FY 2024–25 lodgement due 31-Oct-2025). By extension, for FY 2025-26, the analogous lodgement deadline would be 31 October 2026.
- Lodging Through a Registered Accountant or Outsourced Tax Team
If you lodge through a registered tax agent or outsourced tax professional, you may be eligible for extended deadlines under the ATO’s registered agent lodgement programme. For many taxpayers, this could be as late as 15 May of the following income year if you are added to the agent’s client list by 31st October. Once on that list, your tax due date with the accountant will be determined by the ATO based on client type, prior-year compliance and whether you have outstanding lodgements or debts.
Sources
- Final Cut-Off Dates You Must Not Miss
Final deadline for self-lodgers: 31 October 2026
Missing it means your return becomes overdue and may incur penalties.
Final deadline for tax-agent clients: 15 May 2027
This is the major cut-off for most individuals using a registered accountant.
What happens if you miss the final date?
The ATO may issue:
- Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalties, which grow over time
- Delays in refunds
- Estimated assessments
- Loss of access to extended agent deadlines in future years
Source: ATO – Failure to lodge on time penalty
When You Can Actually Start Filing Your 2026 Tax Return
If you’re wondering when you can file for a tax return, the ATO opens lodgements from 1 July 2026. However, the ATO strongly recommends waiting until late July because many employers, banks, funds and government agencies submit income information after 1 July. Lodging too early may mean:
- Your bank or financial institution hasn’t updated its interest income
- Investment platforms haven’t issued tax summaries
- Private health insurers haven’t submitted health insurance information
- Your employer hasn’t finalised your income statement
The ATO usually completes most data pre-filling by:
- Mid to late July each year (typically between 14–31 July)
If you wait until this time, most of your details, including salary, interest, dividends, health cover, and government payments will automatically appear in myTax, reducing errors and amendments.
If you’re using a registered tax agent, you can provide them with documents from 1 July onwards, but they will also wait for pre-fill data before submitting your return.
Checklist: What You Need Before Lodging
A clear list helps avoid delays or ATO amendments later. Before lodging your 2025 return, make sure you have:
Income Documents
- Centrelink or government payment summaries
- Dividends, managed fund distributions
- STP income statement (finalised by employer)
Financial Records
- Bank interest summaries
- Cryptocurrency transaction reports
- Rental income statements
- Capital gains records
Deductions & Expenses
- Work-related expenses
- Car and travel logs
- Home office records
- Union fees/subscriptions
Health & Insurance
- Private health insurance statements
For Sole Traders & Contractors
- ABN income
- Expense receipts
- BAS information
- Asset purchases and depreciation items
Having everything organised makes it easier for your agent (or you) to meet the tax deadline without surprises.
How befree Keeps You Compliant and On Time
befree assists sole traders, contractors and small businesses with outsourced bookkeeping, accounting & tax services across Australia. Simplify compliance, keep your books accurate and lodge your tax on time.
- Keep track of relevant ATO lodgement dates for your situation.
- Prepares tax returns ahead of time. No more last-minute stress and no more errors.
- Examines eligible deductions carefully and makes sure they are supported with documentation.
- Helps with outstanding or previous-year tax returns to bring you up to date with the ATO.
- Manages bookkeeping & tax together to keep your finances accurate all year long.
- Communicate with the ATO if you need more information or clarification.
- Adds you to the tax agent lodgement programme, where you can get extended ATO deadlines if you meet eligibility.
If you’re unsure about your tax return due date, or wish to check your tax due date with an accountant, befree’s tax outsourcing service can review your position and set up a straightforward lodgement plan to keep you compliant and lodge accurately.
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline
Deadlines matter, but missing one doesn’t end your ability to lodge. This simply alters how the ATO manages your file, increasing your risk of penalties. ATO consequences when a return is late are as under:
- Penalties for Failure to Lodge: These begin at one penalty unit and increase every 28 days the return remains overdue, up to a maximum based on your entity type.
- Interest charges: If you owe tax, the ATO adds the General Interest Charge (GIC) until the balance is paid.
- Extended tax agent due dates lost: The ATO may remove you from the agent lodgement programme if you have overdue returns, meaning your deadlines revert to the standard 31 October date the following year.
- Greater compliance scrutiny: Multiple late lodgements may cause further checks or requests for supporting documents.
So here’s how an accountant can help even if you’re already late.
A tax agent can still lodge your return, request penalty remissions where appropriate, and communicate with the ATO on your behalf. They can also help gather missing records, correct incomplete information and bring multiple overdue years up to date.
Where befree fits in: And if you’re behind, befree will:
- Organise your documentation
- Lodge outstanding returns expediently
- Handle ATO communication
- Stabilise your lodgement history to make future deadlines easier to manage
Final Takeaway: Why Outsourcing Your Tax Return Saves You Stress
Whether you are a contractor or a sole trader, tax time need not be stressful. When you outsource your tax return, you don’t have to stress about dates, paperwork, missing records or ATO follow-ups. A registered agent keeps everything accurate, timely and compliant, giving you peace of mind all year round. Outsourcing your tax return means:
- No worrying about dates: a qualified accountant tracks your ATO deadline.
- No errors: befree prepares your returns accurately with verified data.
- No more chasing documents: we organise your income, interest summaries & deductions.
- Complete compliance: all paperwork lodged on time and under ATO rules.
Want to beat ATO deadlines? Get your 2026 returns handled right. Contact befree & lodge confidently.