I haven't done my tax yet? Will I get fined?

Hi all,

I have been a slacker this year with DH's and my income tax. I normally do it myself on etax but just haven't had the time.

I dug out all my receipts tonight and was going to take it to an agent tomorrow. (just one at the local shops that sets up a booth) but doubt it will get done in time as I can't get there until about 4pm. Will I get fined for late lodgement?

I really don't want to pull an all nighter doing tax!

I can probably do dh's tomorrow night as his is pretty simple but can't fathom doing both!

Nope you won't get fined. Our account has us set up to do our tax each March. According to our accountant the cut off is actually the 31st of March. We have been doing it this way for a couple of years now and haven't been fined yet. Also before we set it up this way we were so slack and both didnt lodge our tax returns for 3 years in a row. We thought we would get fined for sure but nope. DH heard nothing and I got a warning letter but that was it.

I think the end of October is the cutoff to do it yourself and you can lodge after this via an agent/accountant

The deadline IS 31 October unless you are lodging through a tax agent, who has an extended lodgement program, however it is unlikely you will cop a penalty.

The ATO has said that if you lodge voluntarily and are not payable, they will not issue a penalty.

Generally the only people who get a penalty are serial offenders or have not complied with a request to lodge.

But if you are worried you can always either ring the ATO and ask for an extension or get a tax agent to put you on their list.

Thanks for your replies. I am set for a return but just havent got to it. Fingers crossed all will be good. :)

I was just plain lazy the year before last, and didn't get around to it until June! Then I realised that if I left it another month, I'd have 2 sets of tax needing to be done, and I finally got myself in gear and did it. I didn't get any warning letters or anything.