If you prepare your own tax return, this is your week. The usual 31 October deadline falls on a Saturday this year, so the ATO has confirmed self-lodgers have until 11:59pm local time on Monday 2 November to lodge their 2025–26 return on time.
Need more time? Saturday is the cut-off
If your return is more complicated (a rental property, a side business, crypto, a capital gain), you don’t have to rush it. If a registered tax agent adds you to their client list by Saturday 31 October, most people get until 15 May 2027 to lodge.
A couple of catches to be aware of:
- if you have earlier-year returns still outstanding, your 2026 return may be due on 31 October regardless
- lodging late won’t push back the date a tax bill is due, which for self-preparers is generally 21 November
- if you lodge late without an agent, the ATO can apply a failure-to-lodge penalty.
Our tip: don’t just trust the pre-fill
The ATO pre-fills a lot of your return, but it doesn’t know everything. Before you hit lodge, check bank interest, dividends, rental income, private health cover and any income from side work or online platforms. A rushed return is where most mistakes happen.
Not on an agent’s books yet and want the extra time? Get in touch with our Dee Why team this week and we’ll add you to our client list before the cut-off.
This is general information only and not personal advice. Sources: ATO, Reminder to lodge, 19 October 2026; ATO media release via Medianet.
