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  • 2021 Fringe benefits tax (FBT) return

    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).

    On this page

    When to lodge

    Attention

    Warning:

    This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances.

    End of attention

    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

    Last modified: 12 May 2021QC 65073