Late Tax Returns
Behind on your returns? We’ve lodged over 26,000 late returns — often penalty-free. Get back on track with a quick, judgement-free chat.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Late Tax Returns?
Don't worry, you're not alone. Thousands of Australians fall behind on their tax returns every year. The good news is we've lodged over 26,000 late tax returns, many without any penalty, and peace of mind is just one phone call away.
How We Take Care of Everything
Once you appoint AWTS as your registered tax agent, your tax problems become our responsibility. We've helped hundreds of Australians catch up on late returns, and most tell us they wish they'd called sooner. Additionally, you'll never have to deal with the ATO directly - we handle all communication for you. This means less stress and more time for what matters most to you.
Fighting for Penalty Waivers
Our experienced team has successfully applied for penalty remission in hundreds of cases. Consequently, we know exactly how to present your case to the ATO for the best possible outcome. Remember, while penalties aren't tax-deductible, AWTS fees are 100% tax-deductible.
Understanding Penalties:
How it's calculated
One penalty unit for each 28 days (or part of 28 days) that a return is overdue.
Individuals and small businesses
Up to 5 penalty units for each overdue return.
Medium and large businesses
The penalty is multiplied by 2 or 5.
Late lodgement penalties and interest: the actual numbers
Failure to lodge (FTL) penalty. The ATO can charge one penalty unit for each 28 days (or part of 28 days) a return is overdue, up to 5 units for individuals and small businesses. A penalty unit is $364 from 1 July 2026.
- Up to 28 days late: 1 penalty unit, up to $364
- 29 to 56 days late: 2 penalty units, up to $728
- 57 to 84 days late: 3 penalty units, up to $1,092
- 85 to 112 days late: 4 penalty units, up to $1,456
- 113 days or more: 5 penalty units, up to $1,820
For medium businesses the penalty is multiplied by 2, and for large businesses by 5. When the penalty often doesn't apply. The ATO says it generally doesn't apply FTL penalties in isolated cases of late lodgement, and it warns you (by phone or in writing) before it applies one. It also generally doesn't issue an FTL penalty where the late return results in a refund or nil, although there are exceptions, and a penalty already applied before you lodge still stands. Asking for a penalty to be remitted. If a penalty is applied, you can ask the ATO to remit all or part of it. The ATO expects the outstanding returns to be lodged first, and it looks at the reasons. Serious illness, a natural disaster or missing information from an employer are the kind of reasons it accepts. Being busy or on holiday generally aren't. We prepare and lodge the request for you. Interest on unpaid tax. If your late returns show tax owing, the general interest charge (GIC) applies from the due date. It's 11.51% a year for October to December 2026 and compounds daily. GIC is no longer tax-deductible from 1 July 2025, and FTL penalties have never been deductible. More detail: late tax return penalties and is ATO interest deductible?
Behind on your current return, BAS or a business return?
Your 2025–26 return. Using a tax agent normally gives you until 15 May 2027 to lodge your 2025–26 return. But if any earlier return was still outstanding on 30 June 2026, the ATO's rules for tax agents say all those earlier years must be lodged by 31 October 2026 to keep that later date. Otherwise the 2025–26 return has the same 31 October 2026 due date. We'll tell you where you stand when we check your account. Sole traders and businesses. The same penalty rules apply to overdue BAS and company or trust returns. We catch up the BAS first where GST or PAYG withholding is involved, then the income tax returns. See late tax returns for businesses, late BAS payments and our BAS service. Didn't need to lodge? If your income was below the threshold for a year and no tax was withheld, you may only need to tell the ATO with a non-lodgement advice, not lodge a full return. Very old years. You can't lodge returns for 2013 or earlier online, so we prepare those on the ATO's paper forms.
Simple, fixed-fee pricing
Every situation is different, so we give you a clear, fixed quote up front — no hourly rates and no surprises. Our fees are also 100% tax-deductible. Request a personalised quote and we’ll come straight back to you.
Our Proven Track Record
✅ Over 26,000 late tax returns processed ✅ Rated 5.0 on Google ✅ Winner of Search4Accountants Most Popular 2024 Award ✅ All staff hold FIPA 202762 professional accreditation
Missing Documents? No Problem
Even if you don't have your records, we can usually obtain your income statements, payment summaries and other records directly from the ATO, so missing paperwork rarely holds up your returns.
Fast Turnaround: Most late tax returns are processed within 24 hours of receiving your information.
Can't pay upfront? No worries. We can deduct our fee directly from your refund (conditions apply). Simply sign our trust account agreement and pay an additional $60 per year for auditor verification.
Why Choose AWTS?
✓ Australian-Owned & Operated
✓ Every deduction you're entitled to
✓ Tax Audit Insurance Available
Q: Will I get in trouble for having late tax returns? A: While the ATO can impose penalties, we have extensive experience getting these waived. The key is acting now rather than waiting longer.
Q: What if I don't have my payment summaries? A: As your registered tax agent, we can request all necessary documents directly from the ATO.
Q: How long will the process take? A: Once we have your information, most late returns are completed within 24 hours. Quick action demonstrates to the ATO that you're serious about compliance.
Q: Can you help with very old returns? A: Absolutely. We have regularly handled returns dating back over 23 years, with software dating back to 2000.
What Our Clients Say
"Emmanuel and the AWTS team made what seemed impossible feel easy. They handled everything with the ATO and got my penalties waived. I should have called them years ago!"
"Professional, responsive, and they actually care. AWTS turned my tax nightmare into a stress-free experience."
"The attention to detail and personal service is outstanding. They explain everything clearly and keep you informed throughout the process."
Ready to Get Your Life Back?
Don't let late tax returns continue causing you stress. Instead, take action today and reclaim your peace of mind.
📞 Call us now: 0488 854 200 📧 Online consultation available
Office: 58/20-40 Meagher St, Chippendale NSW 2008 Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm; weekends by appointment
Also servicing Queensland and Greece with appointment-only offices.
Remember, the sooner you act, the sooner you can sleep peacefully again. Let AWTS handle your late tax returns - you'll wonder why you waited so long.
- Offices in Chippendale (Sydney), plus Brisbane and Athens by appointment
- Open weekdays 9am to 6pm, and weekends by appointment
- Personal service from qualified professionals
- Comprehensive review of all deductions and offsets
- Ensuring you get every dollar you're entitled to
- Getting it right the first time, every time
- Individuals: $10,000 coverage
- Businesses: $20,000 coverage
- Complete process management if you're audited
Late tax returns: frequently asked questions
Possibly, but often not. The ATO can charge one penalty unit ($364) for every 28 days a return is late, up to $1,820 for individuals and small businesses. It generally doesn't apply the penalty in isolated cases, warns you before it does, and generally doesn't issue one where the late return results in a refund or nil. If you owe tax, interest applies as well.
Yes. The refund isn't paid until the return is lodged, and the ATO can still follow up on returns you haven't lodged. The ATO generally doesn't issue a late lodgement penalty for a return that results in a refund, so lodging old refund years is usually all upside. Any refund can be used to pay other amounts you owe the ATO first.
As many as you need. We can lodge recent years online. You can't lodge returns for 2013 or earlier online, so we prepare those years on the ATO's paper forms. We check your ATO account first, so you only lodge the years the ATO actually expects. For a year where you didn't need to lodge, a non-lodgement advice may be enough.
As your registered tax agent, we can usually get your income statements, old payment summaries, interest, dividends and private health details from the ATO. For deductions, we help you rebuild records from bank statements, emails and logbooks. Where there's no record at all, we only claim what you're entitled to and can support.
Yes, the ATO can remit all or part of a failure to lodge penalty. It expects the overdue returns to be lodged first, then considers your reasons. Serious illness, a disaster or missing information from an employer may be accepted. Holidays or being busy usually aren't. We prepare the request and deal with the ATO for you.
No. Failure to lodge penalties aren't deductible, and from 1 July 2025 the general interest charge (GIC) and shortfall interest charge aren't either. GIC is 11.51% a year for October to December 2026 and compounds daily, so if your late returns show tax owing, catching up sooner keeps the cost down. Our fee is generally deductible.
Lodge anyway. The ATO treats people who lodge and talk to it very differently from people who don't. Once your returns are in, we can set up a payment plan with the ATO so you pay the debt off in instalments. Lodging on time from now on also stops new failure to lodge penalties building up.
Prosecution is generally kept for people who keep ignoring ATO notices to lodge. If you've had a final notice or court papers, call us straight away. Lodging the overdue returns is usually the most important step. See what to do if the ATO prosecutes you.
Related guides
- Late tax return penalties and how to have them waived
- Late tax returns in Australia: a 2026 guide
- How to lodge old tax returns
- What happens if you don't lodge a tax return?
- Non-lodgement advice to the ATO
- Late tax returns for businesses
- Late BAS payments
- Is ATO interest tax-deductible?
- What to do if the ATO prosecutes you
Let’s get you back on track
Book a quick, judgement-free chat or request a quote — we make catching up painless.
