Home › Overdue tax returns

Late or Unlodged Tax Return?

Overdue Tax Returns: Lodge a Late Tax Return Online.

(The words “Lodge a Late Tax Return Online.” are highlighted in the page styling.)

Missed the 2 November deadline, or haven’t lodged for a few years? You can still lodge your overdue tax return online. Here’s what happens next, what a late return can cost, and how to catch up.

[Button] Lodge My Overdue Return (same window)

[Button] See Pricing (same window)

[Hero image: “Lodging an overdue Australian tax return online with Tax Falcon” (alt text), https://static.wixstatic.com/media/78df81_4f7076e73ab04958aa4855cba2f9d214~mv2.webp]

Answer card

Yes, you can still lodge.

If you’re owed a refund, the ATO generally doesn’t charge a late penalty. If you owe tax, the penalty is $364 for every 28 days late, up to $1,820. Lodge as soon as you can.

Refund? Usually no penalty
Owe tax? Up to $1,820

Trust strip

Behind on tax? We’ll help you catch up.

Registered Tax Agent
Checked Before Lodgement
100% Online

Your Situation

Are You Late? Find Your Situation.

What a late return means depends on whether you’re owed a refund or owe tax. Find the one that fits you.

You’re owed a refund

What it means

The ATO generally doesn’t issue a late lodgement penalty when a late return results in a refund or a nil result.

What to do

Lodge now. Your refund is delayed until you do. See our fast tax refund page.

You owe tax

What it means

A failure to lodge penalty can apply, plus interest on the tax you owe.

What to do

Lodge first, then ask the ATO about a payment plan if you can’t pay in full.

You were with a registered tax agent before 31 October

What it means

You may have a later due date. It depends on your lodgment history, so it isn’t automatic.

What to do

Ask your agent which date applies to you.

You’ve missed more than one year

What it means

Each year needs its own return. Unlodged years can also affect your future due dates.

What to do

Lodge every missing year. Start by gathering your income details for each one.

Key dates: see tax return dates and deadlines and the 2 November 2026 deadline.

Penalties

How Much Is the Late Tax Return Penalty in 2026?

The ATO’s failure to lodge penalty for individuals is one penalty unit for every 28 days (or part of 28 days) your return is overdue, up to 5 units. One penalty unit is $364 from 1 July 2026.

Table columns: Days overdue / Penalty units / Penalty

1 to 28 days: 1 unit(s): $364
29 to 56 days: 2 unit(s): $728
57 to 84 days: 3 unit(s): $1,092
85 to 112 days: 4 unit(s): $1,456
113 or more days: 5 (maximum) unit(s): $1,820

Owed a refund?

The ATO generally doesn’t issue this penalty when your late return results in a refund or a nil result. Isolated late returns are usually met with a warning first.

Source: ATO (new tab, rel="noopener")

Want the full breakdown? Read our guide to the failure to lodge penalty. Students can also see late tax return fines for students.

Can the Penalty Be Removed?

Possibly. After you get a penalty notice, you can ask the ATO to remit all or part of it. You have to lodge all your outstanding returns first. Reasons the ATO may accept include severe illness, a disaster, or missing information from a third party. Holidays and work commitments usually aren’t accepted.

How It Works

How to Lodge an Overdue Tax Return Online.

Gather Your Details

You’ll need your TFN, your income statement, bank interest, and receipts for any deductions. Use our tax return checklist. Not sure about an old payment summary? See PAYG payment summary vs income statement.

Start Your Return Online

Pick the return that fits you: standard, student, sole trader, property or investor. It takes about 10 minutes.

Add Your Deductions

Claim what you’re entitled to. Check how to maximise your tax refund and the tax deductions guide.

We Review & Lodge

A registered tax agent reviews your return before it goes to the ATO. Any refund is paid by the ATO straight to your bank account.

Not sure what you’ll get back? Try the tax calculator first. Made a mistake on a return you already lodged? See how to amend a tax return.

Common Worries

Why People Lodge Late (and Why It’s Fixable).

“I didn’t have my documents”

Your income details are on your ATO record. Start with what you have and add the rest as you go.

“I didn’t think I needed to lodge”

Many casual and part-time workers still need to lodge. Check our FAQs.

“I’ve fallen years behind”

Lodge one return per missing year. The ATO expects all years to be up to date.

“I was scared of a penalty”

Lodging late is almost always better than not lodging. The penalty grows every 28 days.

Questions

Overdue Tax Return FAQs.

Can I still lodge an overdue tax return?

Yes. The ATO accepts overdue returns for past years. The sooner you lodge, the less penalty and interest you risk, and the sooner you can get any refund you’re owed.

What happens if I lodge my tax return late?

If you owe tax, the ATO can charge a failure to lodge penalty of one penalty unit ($364) for every 28 days the return is overdue, up to 5 units ($1,820), plus interest on any tax owing. If you’re owed a refund, the ATO generally doesn’t issue a late lodgement penalty.

Do I get a penalty if I’m owed a refund?

Generally no. The ATO doesn’t usually issue a failure to lodge penalty when a late return results in a refund or a nil result. Your refund is still delayed until you lodge.

How much is the late tax return penalty in 2026?

One penalty unit is $364 from 1 July 2026. Individuals are charged one unit for every 28 days (or part of 28 days) the return is overdue, up to a maximum of 5 units, which is $1,820.

What was the 2026 tax return deadline?

The usual self-lodgement deadline is 31 October. In 2026 it fell on a Saturday, so it moved to Monday 2 November. People who were already with a registered tax agent before 31 October may have a later due date, depending on their lodgment history. See tax deadlines.

Can I lodge more than one overdue year at once?

Yes. Each year needs its own tax return, so you lodge one return per missing year. The ATO expects all outstanding returns to be lodged, and unlodged years can affect your future due dates.

Can I get a late lodgement penalty removed?

Possibly. After you receive a penalty notice, you can ask the ATO to remit all or part of it. You need to lodge all outstanding returns first. Severe illness, a disaster or missing information from third parties are the kind of reasons the ATO may accept. Holidays or being busy at work usually aren’t.

Do I need a tax agent to lodge an overdue return?

No, but an agent can help, especially if you have several years to catch up. Tax Falcon is a registered tax agent (TPB licence 26359813), and a registered tax agent reviews your return before it is lodged. See is Tax Falcon legit and how it works.

Will lodging late delay my refund?

Yes. The ATO can only process your refund once your return is lodged, so every week you wait is a week your refund is delayed. Read common refund mistakes and delays.

Related Guides

Lodge Your Overdue Return Today.

Pre-filled from the ATO, checked by a registered tax agent, refund straight to your bank.

[Button] Start My Tax Return