Who can complete your tax return?
You can get someone else to complete your tax return for you.
- A family member or friend can help you but they cannot charge you a fee, and
- you, no one else, must sign your tax return
- you, no one else, are legally responsible for the accuracy of the information.
- Tax Help is a free service provided by community volunteers trained to help people on low incomes prepare their tax returns. Tax Help operates out of approved community-based centres. Volunteers do not charge a fee for their assistance.
- Only a registered tax agent can charge you a fee for preparing your tax return. To check whether an agent is registered, go to Finding and using a tax practitionerExternal Link.
Lodge your tax return by 31 October 2017
You have until 31 October 2017 to lodge your tax return, unless we have allowed you to lodge it later, or you have a later due date because a registered tax agent prepares your tax return.
If you cannot lodge your tax return by 31 October 2017 contact us as soon as possible, before 31 October 2017, to find out whether you can lodge at a later date.
Failure to lodge on time penalty
We may apply a penalty for failure to lodge on time if your tax return is not lodged by the due date.
Generally, we apply one penalty unit for every 28 days (or part thereof) that your tax return is overdue, to a maximum of five penalty units. For more information regarding penalty units refer to Payment, interest and penalties.
We may apply the penalty even where there is no tax payable. However, our policy is not to apply a penalty where:
- you lodge your tax return voluntarily, and
- no tax is payable.
Where to send your tax return
Within Australia
To lodge online using myTax, go to ato.gov.au/lodgeonline Most myTax refunds are issued within two weeks.
To lodge a paper tax return, either:
- mail it in the pre-addressed envelope that came with it, or
- mail it in your own envelope and address it to
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
Most refunds for paper tax returns are processed within 10 weeks.
From overseas
To lodge online using myTax, go to ato.gov.au/lodgeonline Most myTax refunds are issued within two weeks.
To lodge a paper tax return, either:
- mail it in the pre-addressed envelope that came with it, but first
- cross out the barcode above the address
- cross out IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY and write SYDNEY NSW 2001, AUSTRALIA
- mail it in your own envelope and address it to
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
SYDNEY NSW 2001
AUSTRALIA
Most refunds for paper tax returns are processed within 10 weeks.
When can you expect your notice of assessment?
If you lodge your tax return online, our standard processing time is two weeks. We aim to process paper tax returns within 10 weeks.
To check the progress of your tax return:
- go to ato.gov.au/progressofreturn
- phone 13 28 61 and
- choose option 2 then option 1, or
- ask one of our customer service representatives to do a search for you.
Your right to make a complaint
If you are not satisfied with our decisions, services, actions, you have the right to make a complaint.
We recommend that:
- you first try to resolve the issue with the tax officer you have been dealing with
- if you are not satisfied, or if you find it difficult to raise the issue with the tax officer, talk to the tax officer's manager
- if you are not satisfied with the way your complaint is being handled
- lodge an online complaint at ato.gov.au/complaints, or
- phone our complaints line on 1800 199 010.
How to make a complaint
To make a complaint:
- lodge an online complaint, ato.gov.au/complaints
- phone our complaints line on 1800 199 010
- write to
Australian Taxation Office
PO Box 1271
ALBURY NSW 2640 - send a fax to 1800 060 063.
The Inspector-General of Taxation
Once we have finalised your complaint, if you are still not satisfied with the outcome you may contact the Inspector-General of Taxation to investigate your concerns:
- go to igt.gov.auExternal Link
- phone 1300 448 829
- write to
Inspector-General of Taxation
GPO Box 551
SYDNEY NSW 2001