Haven't lodged your tax return yet? What happens after 31 October

If you lodge your 2025–26 tax return yourself, it is due on 31 October 2026. That date is a Saturday, so the ATO treats Monday 2 November 2026 as the due date. After that, you may face a failure to lodge penalty, and interest can apply to tax you owe. A registered tax agent may be able to lodge for you later, but only if you engage them before 31 October, and not if earlier-year returns were still outstanding at 30 June 2026.

When is your 2025–26 tax return due?

This article is for individuals, including Gold Coast sole traders and contractors who report their business income in their personal tax return. Companies, trusts, partnerships and SMSFs have their own lodgement rules.

If you lodge it yourself: The ATO says your return is due by 31 October, and by the next business day if 31 October falls on a weekend. For 2025–26, that means Monday 2 November 2026.

If you use a registered tax agent: Agents generally work to their own lodgement schedules, which can run later than 31 October. The ATO says you need to engage the agent before 31 October. Because 31 October is a Saturday this year, the safest approach is to engage your agent by Friday 30 October.

Under the ATO's registered agent lodgment program, the date that applies to an individual depends on their circumstances:

• 31 October 2026 if one or more earlier-year returns were outstanding at 30 June 2026
• 31 March 2027 if your latest return showed a tax liability of $20,000 or more
• 15 May 2027 for remaining individuals not required to lodge earlier

Your lodgement and compliance history, your income and whether you are a new registrant can also affect your date. An agent can confirm which one applies to you.

A hypothetical example

Sam and Jess are fictional Gold Coast sole traders. This example is for illustration only.

Sam is an electrician who lodged his 2024–25 return on time and hasn't started 2025–26. Jess runs a café and never lodged her 2024–25 return. Both engage an agent before 31 October.

Sam's agent may be able to lodge on a later program date, depending on his circumstances. Jess's 2025–26 return is still due on 31 October 2026, because an earlier return was outstanding at 30 June 2026. Her first priority is getting the older return lodged.

What can happen if you miss the due date?

The ATO says that if you miss the due date, you should lodge as soon as you can. If you can't lodge on time, contact the ATO as soon as possible.

Failure to lodge penalty. For individuals and small entities, the penalty is generally one penalty unit for each 28-day period (or part of one) that a return is overdue, up to a maximum of five units. A penalty unit is $364 for conduct on or after 1 July 2026.

This table assumes the ATO applies the penalty to an individual or small entity for a single overdue return. Medium and large entities pay more, and the ATO can treat each overdue document separately. Lodging sooner stops further 28-day periods building up.

Interest and payment. If you lodge your own return by 31 October and it results in a tax bill, payment is due by 21 November. If you lodge late, the payment date is still 21 November, and interest can apply to amounts you owe after that date. If your assessment issues after 31 October, payment is due 21 days after it issues.

If paying on time is hard, don't delay lodging. You may be eligible for an ATO payment plan.

How a registered tax agent can help

A registered tax agent can:

• confirm which lodgement date applies to you, including whether earlier returns are outstanding
• prepare and lodge your return, using your income records and the receipts or statements that support your deductions
• help you plan for any tax bill before the payment date

An agent can't turn a missed due date into an on-time lodgement, and later dates aren't automatic. The ATO ties them to engaging the agent before 31 October, so don't assume engaging someone afterwards will extend your date. You will still need to give your agent complete and accurate information.

[CONFIRM BEFORE PUBLISHING: Mahler Advisory is a registered tax agent and can offer its clients the ATO lodgment program dates.] At Mahler Advisory, we prepare individual tax returns and business activity statements for Gold Coast business owners, and can also help with bookkeeping setup in MYOB or Xero.

Your next four weeks: a checklist

1. Check for older returns. Were any earlier-year returns still unlodged at 30 June 2026? If so, your 2025–26 return is due 31 October 2026 either way.
2. Gather your information. The ATO suggests having your bank details, income statements or payment summaries, receipts or statements for deductions, your spouse's income (if you have one) and private health insurance details.
3. Choose your path. Lodge yourself by Monday 2 November, or engage an agent by Friday 30 October.
4. Speak up early. If you can't lodge or pay on time, contact the ATO or your agent as soon as you can.

Not sure which date applies to you?

Call Mahler Advisory on 07 5500 5855 or book a free consultation and we'll help you work out your lodgement date and next steps. Mahler Advisory services Gold Coast and Queensland businesses.

This article provides general information only and does not take your circumstances into account. Tax outcomes depend on your circumstances and the law applying to the relevant period. Obtain advice tailored to your situation before acting.