ATO Practice Statement Law Administration

PS LA 2003/7

How to treat a request to lodge a late objection

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Contents  
1. Overarching principles
2. What must a taxpayer do to have the out of time objection considered as if it was lodged within time?
3. Out of time objection lodged within amendment period to amend
4. Factors you should take into account
5. Circumstances in which extensions of time will be appropriate
6. Circumstances in which extensions of time may not be appropriate
7. Notify the taxpayer
8. Contesting our decision
9. More information

This practice statement is an internal ATO document, and is an instruction to ATO staff.
Taxpayers can rely on this practice statement to provide them with protection from interest and penalties in the following way. If a statement turns out to be incorrect and taxpayers underpay their tax as a result, they will not have to pay a penalty. Nor will they have to pay interest on the underpayment provided they reasonably relied on this practice statement in good faith. However, even if they don't have to pay a penalty or interest, taxpayers will have to pay the correct amount of tax provided the time limits under the law allow it.

This Law Administration Practice Statement provides guidance on requests to treat out of time objections as if they were lodged within time.

1. Overarching principles

We have the discretion to treat a late objection as if it had been lodged within the time limit.[1]

As a general rule, requests for extension of time are to be approached on the basis that extensions will be granted, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

2. What must a taxpayer do to have the out of time objection considered as if it was lodged within time?

If a taxpayer wants to object to a decision but the time limit has passed, they can lodge a late objection together with a written request asking that the late objection be treated as if it had been lodged within time.

The written request should include an explanation why the objection was lodged late[2]. If their explanation seems inadequate give them the opportunity to provide further information or a better explanation. It is not essential that they do; and, even if they don't, the absence of a detailed explanation should not be the sole reason for refusing to agree to extend the time. You must consider the explanation together with other factors in arriving at a decision (refer to paragraph 4).

If a request has been received without the objection you will need to ask the taxpayer to lodge the objection. You cannot consider the request until the objection has been received.

3. Out of time objection lodged within amendment period to amend

Where an out of time objection has been lodged without a written request, but within the time limit allowed to amend an assessment, and the claim is reasonable and likely to be allowed in full, it is not necessary to ask the taxpayer to lodge a written request. The late objection is to be treated as an amendment request.

But if there is some doubt the claim is allowable, then the taxpayer needs to lodge a written request asking that the out of time objection be considered as if it had been lodged in time.

4. Factors you should take into account

When considering a request for an extension, you need to weigh up such factors as:

the taxpayer's explanation for failing to lodge the objection within the time limit (in certain cases the explanation itself may be so compelling that you may not need to consider other factors);
the circumstances of the delay, including the extent to which the taxpayer kept us informed that they did not agree with the decision;
whether the taxpayer has a good case for the objection to be allowed in full or in part (do not undertake a full scale investigation of the merits of the issue);
any other relevant matters the case may bring up, such as prejudice to the Commissioner, or injustice to the taxpayer because of the negligent failure of their adviser to follow instructions.

5. Circumstances in which extensions of time will be appropriate

You must decide each case on its own merits but, provided there are no other relevant matters, you would allow an extension of time if:

the taxpayer was too ill to lodge an objection
the taxpayer was overseas and did not return until the time limit had expired (but if they had an adviser, the adviser should have let us know there was a problem with the time limit)
the taxation decision was sent to the wrong address
there were problems with the mail service
the taxpayer thought that lodging an objection was futile until a court decision - or a change in legislation or a public ruling - delivered shortly after the time limit expired made the objection reasonable
the taxpayer thought that lodging an objection was futile but then discovered they may have believed this because we gave them incorrect information
the issue involves an important question of law or practice
the taxpayer has a strong case and has previously advised us before the time limit expired that they did not accept the decision and would be lodging an objection
the taxpayer has a strong case for allowing the objection, and had requested an extension within a period for which there is a reasonable explanation for the delay
the delay in lodging an objection in time was caused by misleading conduct by ATO officers
the taxpayer's adviser, despite receiving prompt instructions, was negligent and failed to execute those instructions
an individual or small business with a two-year time limit has lodged, within four years, an objection that discloses an arguable case for the objection to be allowed in full or in part.

6. Circumstances in which extensions of time may not be appropriate

Again, you must decide each case on its own merits but you would normally not allow an extension of time if:

despite receiving prompts from us, the taxpayer has not explained why they didn't meet the deadline
it has been an excessively long time since the taxation decision was made and the taxpayer has not offered a satisfactory explanation for the delay
if an administrative decision is being challenged and documents have been destroyed or the decision maker has left, and we therefore cannot recall all the circumstances for making that decision
granting an extension would prevent us from conducting our operations fairly and efficiently
granting an extension would be contrary to the public interest and the extension would re-open a matter that has already been settled
despite having advisers, it was the taxpayer's own decision that led to the failure to lodge a timely objection
an individual or a small business with a two-year time limit has lodged an objection within four years that does not disclose an arguable case for the objection to be allowed in full or in part.

7. Notify the taxpayer

If you refuse a request for an extension of time you must give the taxpayer written notice of that decision.

You must note all the factors you considered and how you weighted their relevance to your final decision. For example, you might say that 'the objection does not disclose an arguable case', or 'the prejudice against the taxpayer is outweighed by the prejudice against the Commissioner'.

8. Contesting our decision

If we refuse to grant an extension and the taxpayer is not satisfied with that, they may apply to the Tribunal to have the decision reviewed.[3]

9. More information

The leading case concerning this discretion may provide more guidance for you. See the judgment of Justice Hill in Brown v. FC of T (1999) 42 ATR 118; 99 ATC 4516; [1999] FCA 563

For more information:

On how taxpayers should object to a decision, see How to object to a decision
On the ATO decisions against which taxpayers can object, see Decisions you can object to, and time limits
On the information we provide to taxpayers about requesting an extension of time to object, see Extension of time to object

Amendment history

Date of amendment Part Comment
31 July 2015 All Update to new LAPS format and style.
8 May 2014 Case references Updated.
Contact details Updated.
18 April 2013 Contact details Updated.
29 November 2012 Paragraphs 10 and 24 Minor grammatical changes.
Paragraph 31 Omitted.
Contact details Updated.
8 April 2011 Paragraphs 22, 24 and 25 STS taxpayer updated to 'small business entity' due to the introduction of the small business framework in Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business) Act 2007.
Various 'Tax Office' updated to 'ATO' as per Style Guide recommendations.
Contact details Updated.
2 September 2009 Contact details Updated.
8 February 2008 Various Name changes and minor grammatical corrections.
11 October 2006 Paragraph 22 (inserted) and paragraphs 24 and 26 (amended) Revised to include new individual and simplified tax system taxpayer timeframes as per the Report on Aspects of Income Tax Self Assessment published in August 2004.
22 October 2003 Paragraphs 5 and 6 Amended to provide clarification.

Date of Issue: 30 July 2003

Date of Effect: 30 July 2003

Subsection 14ZX(3) of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA).

Subsection 14ZW(3) of Schedule 1 to the TAA.

Subsection 14ZX(4) of Schedule 1 to the TAA.

File 2003/85131

Subject References:
credit amendment
extension of time
extension of time to lodge an objection
objections, refusal of extension
refusal to grant extension of time
taxation objections

Legislative References:
TAA section 14ZW(3)
TAA section 14ZX(3)
TAA section 14ZX(4)

Case References:


Brown v. FC of T
99 ATC 4516
(1999) 42 ATR 118
[1999] FCA 563

PS LA 2003/7 history
  Date: Version:
  2 September 2009 Updated statement
  8 April 2011 Updated statement
  29 November 2012 Updated statement
You are here 31 July 2015 Updated statement
  21 October 2016 Updated statement
  6 July 2023 Updated statement
This practice statement was originally published on 30 July 2003. Versions published from 2 September 2009 are available electronically - refer to the online version of the practice statement. Versions published prior to this date are not available electronically. If needed, these can be requested by emailing TCNLawPublishingandPolicy@ato.gov.au.