Penalties and interest

Penalty for failing to lodge a document on time

When you must lodge a document in an approved form and fail to lodge that document by the due date, you are liable for a penalty. The penalty applies for each 28-day period, or part thereof, that the statement remains unlodged - to a maximum of five periods. In most cases, before issuing a failure to lodge penalty notice, we will contact you or issue you with a reminder. The amount of the penalty is one penalty unit for each period. If you are a medium withholder, the penalty is multiplied by two. If you are a large withholder, the penalty is multiplied by five.

If you receive a penalty notice for failing to lodge a document on time and you believe that the penalty should be remitted in full or in part, you should phone us (if the request is below $10,000) - otherwise, lodge a written request for remission outlining the circumstances that led to the delay in lodgment and the reasons why the penalty should be remitted.

We recognise that sometimes events will take place that prevent you from meeting your lodgment obligations on time. Generally, full remission will only be granted if the delay in lodgment occurred because the circumstances were beyond your control and it is fair and reasonable to remit.

Sections within Penalties that can apply

• Penalties for statements and unarguable positions
• Penalty for failing to lodge a document on time
• Penalty for failing to withhold or pay a withheld amount
• Penalties for failing to meet other tax obligations