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2021 Fringe benefits tax (FBT) return

Lodge this return if you have a fringe benefits tax (FBT) liability for the year ending 31 March 2021. NAT 1067-01.2021.

Last updated 11 May 2021

You must lodge a 2021 Fringe benefits tax (FBT) return if you have a fringe benefits tax liability (also known as a fringe benefits taxable amount).

When to lodge

If you prepare your own 2021 FBT return, you can lodge up until 25 June 2021 without incurring a failure to lodge on time penalty.

Lodgment and payment dates may differ if a tax agent prepares your FBT return or meets our lodgment program requirements for FBT.

If you need an extension of time to lodge and you are:

  • lodging through a tax agent – contact them
  • not lodging through a tax agent – phone us on 13 28 66.

If the due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, you can lodge and make payment on the next business day.

If you’re worried you’ll have difficulty paying on time, phone us on 13 11 42.

When to pay

You must pay your FBT liability by 21 May. General interest charge will apply to payments made after 21 May 2021.

Key dates

Table 1: Key dates for FBT lodgment

Description

Due date for lodgment

Final date for self preparers to lodge 2021 FBT return, without incurring a failure to lodge on time penalty

25 June 2021

2021 FBT return for tax agents (paper lodgment)

21 May 2021

2021 FBT return for tax agents (electronic lodgment under the lodgment program where our requirements are met)

25 June 2021

Final date for tax agents to add new FBT clients to their client list to ensure they receive the lodgment and payment concessions for their fringe benefits tax returns

21 May 2021

Table 2: Key dates for FBT liability payment

Description

Due date for payment

2021 FBT return for self-preparers

21 May 2021

2021 FBT return for tax agents (paper lodgment)

21 May 2021

Final date for tax agents to add new FBT clients to their client list to ensure they receive the lodgment and payment concessions for their fringe benefits tax returns

21 May 2021

2021 FBT return for tax agents (electronic lodgment under the lodgment program where our requirements are met)

25 June 2021

Table 3: Other key date

Description

Due date for payment

Final date for states and territories that want to nominate an eligible state or territory body as an employer to lodge a nomination; or vary, or revoke a previous nomination

21 May 2021

Paying FBT

If you haven't paid FBT before, or if the amount of FBT you had to pay for the previous year was less than $3,000, you only make one payment for the year.

If you paid FBT of $3,000 or more for the previous year, you must pay FBT quarterly with your activity statement in the following year.

You need to make a balancing payment (if any) by 21 May, unless you've made other arrangements with us.

Requirements to lodge

You must lodge an FBT return if you have an FBT liability for the FBT year.

If you did not have an FBT liability for the FBT year, and you did not vary your FBT instalments to nil during that year, you also need to lodge an FBT return. Lodging an FBT return will allow us to update our records and refund the FBT instalment credits you paid during the FBT year.

When you don’t need to lodge an FBT return

You don’t need to lodge if you did not have an FBT liability for the FBT year and you don’t pay your liability by instalments.

Instead you must complete a Fringe benefits tax – notice of non-lodgment by the time your return would otherwise be due.

How to lodge your FBT return

You can lodge your FBT return either:

Electronic lodgments are generally processed within two weeks. Most paper lodgments are processed within 10 weeks.

If you lodge by paper:

Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
[insert the name and postcode of your capital city]

For example

Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
SYDNEY  NSW  2001

Table 4: Postcodes for each capital city

Capital city

Postcode

Adelaide, South Australia

5001

Brisbane, Queensland

4001

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

2601

Darwin, Northern Territory

0801

Hobart, Tasmania

7001

Melbourne, Victoria

3001

Perth, Western Australia

6001

Sydney, New South Wales

2001

See also

QC65073