There are situations when we are entitled to retain part of, or all your refund.
- We may apply part, or all, of your refund against a tax debt that you owe us – this is known as offsetting.
- We may firstly offset your credit against your tax debt, and then also receive a payment from you for that same tax debt. As a result, your account may be placed in credit. The payment you made is treated as a voluntary payment in anticipation of a tax debt, which we generally don't automatically refund.
- We will keep your refund if you haven't nominated a bank account for us to pay your refund into, or the bank account details you provided are incorrect or incomplete.
- We will keep your refund if you have not lodged one or more of your BAS.
- We can keep your refund because we need to check or verify details shown on your return or BAS. In these circumstances, we will contact you.
See also:
- Incorrect or incomplete bank account details
- Outstanding activity statements
- Checking refunds
- Update your details
- Taxation Administration Act 1953 Part IIB – Running balance accounts, application of payments and credits, and related matters