Tax Return Deadline 2026: Last-Minute Checklist

The deadline for lodging your own 2025–26 tax return has now passed. It was 31 October 2026, extended to 11:59 pm on Monday 2 November 2026 because the 31st was a Saturday. If you missed it, don't panic: lodge as soon as you can, or use a registered tax agent. Below is what happens if you're late, what to do if you owe tax, and when you don't need to lodge at all.

Estimate your refund or bill

Key dates

What	When
Income year covered	1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
Lodging yourself (myTax or paper)	31 October 2026, extended to 11:59 pm Monday 2 November because of the weekend
Using a registered tax agent	Contact them before 31 October to join their lodgment program
Tax bill due (self-lodgers)	Generally 21 November; this year that is a Saturday, so you can pay by Monday 23 November
Refund after online lodgment	Generally within 2 weeks

The last-minute checklist

Sign in to myGov and open myTax. Most employer, bank, government and health fund information has been pre-filled since late July. Check your income statement says "tax ready".
Check the pre-fill, then add what's missing. Pre-fill isn't complete. Add income from side jobs, gig platforms, rent, crypto and shares, and any interest the ATO doesn't know about.
Gather records for deductions. You need receipts or other evidence for what you claim. Our full tax return checklist lists the documents to collect.
Claim work-from-home costs. The fixed rate for 2025–26 is 70 cents per hour, and you need a record of the actual hours you worked from home for the whole year.
Claim car expenses correctly. The cents per km rate for 2025–26 is 88 cents per km, up to 5,000 work-related km per car. Trips between home and your regular workplace don't count.
Review before you submit. You're declaring the return is true and correct. Don't copy last year's claims if your job changed.

Example: two days a week at home (699 hours over 46 weeks) gives a WFH deduction of $489.44. Add 2,000 km of work driving at 88c ($1,760) and you'd claim $2,249 in total. At the 30% rate plus Medicare levy, that's about $720 back. Run your own numbers in the work-from-home deduction calculator.

Common deductions people forget

Last year's tax agent fee and other costs of managing your tax.
Union fees and professional memberships.
Donations of $2 or more to registered charities (deductible gift recipients).
Work tools and equipment; items costing $300 or less can usually be claimed in full.
Protective clothing and uniforms with your employer's logo, and their laundry.
Income protection premiums paid outside super.

The new $1,000 standard deduction doesn't apply yet. It starts with 2026–27 returns, lodged at tax time 2027.

Can I get more time?

Yes, if you use a registered tax agent. Agents run a lodgment program that lets many clients lodge after 31 October, often as late as 15 May 2027. The catch: if you're new to an agent or changing agents, you need to contact them before 31 October to be added to their program. Clients with earlier years' returns still outstanding are due on 31 October.

Check that your preparer is on the Tax Practitioners Board register. The ATO has stopped over 10,000 returns it suspects were prepared by unregistered preparers, and you lose penalty protections if you use one.

What if I lodge late?

The failure to lodge penalty for individuals is one penalty unit for every 28 days (or part) a return is late, up to five units. A penalty unit is $364 from 1 July 2026, so the maximum is $1,820.

How late	Penalty units	Penalty
1–28 days	1	$364
29–56 days	2	$728
57–84 days	3	$1,092
85–112 days	4	$1,456
113 days or more	5	$1,820

In practice, the ATO says it won't issue a penalty notice for a late return that results in a refund or nil result, and it generally doesn't apply penalties for isolated late lodgment. If you owe tax or keep ignoring reminders, it can issue a default assessment with a 75% penalty, or prosecute. If you're struggling, contact the ATO before the deadline.

What if I can't pay my tax bill?

Lodge on time anyway. Lodging late doesn't change when payment is due, and it can add a penalty. If you owe $200,000 or less, you may be able to set up a payment plan yourself in ATO online services through myGov. Interest can build up on unpaid amounts, so pay as much as you can as early as you can. If you're in financial hardship, call the ATO or your tax agent as soon as possible.

When will I get my refund?

If you lodge online, the ATO says you'll generally get your refund within 2 weeks; most returns are processed within 12 business days. Returns picked for manual checks can take up to 30 days. Track progress in the ATO app or myGov. Calling won't speed it up.

What if I don't need to lodge?

If your taxable income was under the $18,200 tax-free threshold and no tax was withheld, you probably don't need to lodge a return. Tell the ATO by lodging a non-lodgment advice: in myGov, go to ATO, then Tax, then Lodgments. That stops reminder letters. But if any tax was withheld from your pay, lodge a return to get it back. People with an active ABN, foreign residents with Australian income and some others must lodge regardless.

Work out your WFH and car deductions

Frequently asked questions

Is the tax return deadline 31 October or 2 November in 2026?

31 October 2026 is a Saturday, so the ATO says self-lodgers have until 11:59 pm local time on Monday 2 November 2026 to lodge on time.

What's the penalty for lodging late?

One penalty unit ($364) for each 28 days late, up to $1,820. The ATO doesn't issue the penalty for late returns that result in a refund or nil result.

Can a tax agent lodge my return after 31 October?

Often, yes. If you're on a registered agent's client list before 31 October, many returns can be lodged as late as 15 May 2027 under their lodgment program.

I can't pay my tax bill. What should I do?

Lodge on time anyway, then set up a payment plan in ATO online services if you owe $200,000 or less, or contact the ATO. Don't ignore it.

Do I need to lodge if I earned under $18,200?

Not if no tax was withheld. Lodge a non-lodgment advice through myGov instead. If tax was withheld, lodge a return to get it refunded.

Sources

More guides

Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general information only. It isn't financial, tax, credit or legal advice and doesn't consider your circumstances. Rules change, so check the official sources below or speak to a licensed professional before you make a decision.

Tax return due 31 October 2026: last-minute checklist

Key points