Around 2 million Australians who prepare their own tax returns have yet to lodge for 2025–26. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says the deadline is 11:59pm local time on Monday 2 November 2026. Missing it could result in a failure-to-lodge penalty.
The ATO had received around 9 million returns by mid-October, according to its 18 October reminder. If you have not lodged, use the remaining time to check your records, complete your return accurately and submit it before the deadline.
Mark 2 November as your self-lodgment deadline
The usual self-preparer deadline is 31 October. In 2026, that date falls on a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next business day: Monday 2 November.
You can lodge through myTax. The ATO says a straightforward return takes an average of eight minutes to lodge, with pre-fill helping to gather much of the information. Still, do not treat the extra days as a reason to leave everything until the last minute. Rushing can lead to missing details or making mistakes.
Before submitting, review your income, deductions and any pre-filled information. The ATO has warned against lodging before data is ready: it reported that more than 595,000 returns were adjusted after early lodgment in 2026. Pre-fill is typically complete by late July, but you should still check it against your own records. See the ATO’s update on adjusted returns.
Lodge on time to reduce the risk of a penalty
The ATO’s failure-to-lodge penalty is $364 for each 28-day period, or part of one, that a return is overdue. For individuals, it is capped at five penalty units, or $1,820. Penalties can be multiplied for medium and larger entities.
A penalty is not necessarily automatic. The ATO generally tries to warn you by phone or in writing first. It also generally does not penalise isolated minor delays where you have a good lodgment history, or where a refund is due. If the ATO issues a penalty, you will receive a notice, and payment will be due at least 14 days later. Read the ATO’s failure-to-lodge penalty guidance for details.
If you cannot lodge by 2 November, contact the ATO or your registered tax professional promptly to discuss support options. Acting early gives you a chance to explain your circumstances rather than letting the deadline pass without contact.
Do not put off lodgment because you expect a bill
If you self-lodge, your tax bill is generally due on 21 November 2026. Delaying your return does not move that payment date. Lodge on time so you can understand what you owe and plan for the payment.
Not everyone is sure whether they need to lodge. Retirees and lower-income earners may assume they do not. But if tax was withheld from your income, lodging may help you claim a refund, even if you earned below the tax-free threshold. Selling an investment property can also create a lodgment obligation.
If you are not required to lodge, submit a non-lodgment advice to tell the ATO. Don’t simply leave the return or advice undone.
Check that your tax preparer is registered
Registered tax professionals must lodge overdue prior-year returns for existing clients and add new clients to their client list by 31 October. Their clients may have a later lodgment date under the agent program. If you are not on an agent’s client list by then, the 2 November self-lodgment deadline applies.
The ATO says it has stopped more than 10,000 returns suspected of being prepared by unregistered preparers this tax time, with more than $170 million in deduction claims. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a refund, encourages inflated deductions or claims they can fast-track ATO processing.
You are making a legal declaration that your return is true and correct. The ATO says people using an unregistered preparer do not have access to safe harbour provisions available when using a registered tax professional. Before engaging someone, check the Tax Practitioners Board register and look for the registered tax practitioner symbol. You can also report suspected unregistered activity to the TPB.
For further Australia tax context, read our 22 October update on the ATO’s warning about undeclared income.
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FAQs
What is the deadline if I do my own tax return?
Lodge by 11:59pm local time on Monday 2 November 2026. The usual 31 October deadline falls on a Saturday, so it moves to the next business day.
What happens if I lodge late?
The ATO may charge $364 per 28-day period, or part of one, up to $1,820 for an individual. It usually tries to warn you first and may not penalise a minor one-off delay if you have a good lodgment history.
When is my tax bill due if I self-lodge?
It is generally due on 21 November 2026. Lodging late does not move the payment date.
Can a registered agent still help me after the deadline?
An agent must have added you to their client list by 31 October for you to access their extended program dates. If you are not on an agent’s list, the 2 November self-lodgment deadline applies.