Tax return deadline 2026: lodge by Monday 2 November
If you lodge your own 2025–26 tax return, you have until Monday 2 November 2026. The usual deadline is 31 October, but that is a Saturday this year, and when a lodgment due date is not a business day, you can lodge on the next business day (ATO). If you would rather use a registered tax agent, you need to be on their client list by Saturday 31 October to get their later lodgment dates. The ATO says the weekend extension does not apply to adding new clients (ATO).
Which deadline applies to you
| Your situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| You lodge yourself, for example through myTax | Monday 2 November 2026 |
| You use a registered tax agent and were on their client list by Saturday 31 October | Later, under the agent's lodgment program. The exact date depends on your circumstances |
| You have earlier tax returns still overdue at 30 June 2026 | Saturday 31 October 2026, even with an agent |
The ATO's program for registered agents says taxpayers with one or more earlier returns overdue at 30 June 2026 must lodge their 2026 return by 31 October 2026 (ATO).
Using a tax agent for the first time?
Registered tax agents have a lodgment program that lets their clients lodge after the usual deadline. If you are using an agent for the first time, or changing agents, contact them well before Saturday 31 October. Agents must add new clients to their client list by that date, and the ATO says it is not moved to the next business day even though it falls on a weekend. Some new clients also need to nominate the agent first, as part of linking client and agent. Clients added after 31 October do not get the agent's later due date for their 2026 return (ATO). Check that the agent is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board.
What happens if you lodge late
The ATO can charge a failure-to-lodge penalty. The base penalty is one penalty unit for every 28 days, or part of 28 days, that the return is late, up to a maximum of five penalty units (ATO). For individuals, one penalty unit is $364, so the maximum is $1,820 (H&R Block). Interest can also apply to any tax you owe. If you used a registered agent and gave them everything they needed in time, "safe harbour" rules may protect you from the penalty.
Before you lodge
- Check the prefilled information in myTax against your income statement, bank interest and any other income.
- Keep records for every deduction you claim.
- Do not wait for the last day. Rushing raises the chance of missing a deduction or entering something wrong.
