Guide to lodging your tax return

When to lodge your tax return

Tax returns cover the financial year, not the calendar year. The financial year begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June the following year. After the financial year ends you have until 31 October to lodge your return (unless you use a tax agent).

For example, you should have lodged your tax return for the financial year 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2011 by 31 October 2011.

If you use a registered tax agent to prepare your tax return you can lodge later than 31 October. See your registered tax agent before 31 October to qualify for their lodgment dates.

If you cannot lodge your tax return by 31 October or by your registered tax agent's lodgment date, phone us on 13 28 61 as soon as possible to find out if you can lodge at a later date. You should not lodge your tax return if it is incomplete.

There may be penalties for late lodgment, even if we have agreed to allow you extra time to lodge.

	Leaving Australia In some limited circumstances you can lodge your tax return before the end of the financial year. Generally this can only be done if you are certain of your income and you are leaving the country permanently. For more information see Leaving Australia - lodging your tax return.
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