Around two million Australians have still to lodge their 2025-26 tax return ahead of the end-of-October deadline, according to the Australian Taxation Office, SBS News reports.
The ATO says it has already received about nine million returns. Self-prepared returns are normally due on 31 October, but because that date falls on a Saturday this year the deadline moves to the next business day. People using a tax agent must be on that agent's books by 31 October, and the ATO has urged them to check the agent is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board and to be wary of promises of inflated refunds.
Late lodgers are usually warned first. The penalty is one penalty unit, currently A$364, for each 28 days a return is overdue, up to five units, or A$1,820, for an individual. Those struggling can ask for more time.
Source: SBS News
