Late or Prior Year Tax Returns

Have you missed the tax deadline?

Not a problem, H&R Block can help. Here are a few tips to get control of your tax returns.

How do I lodge a late tax return?

It's not too late! Most people generally need to lodge an income tax return every year. However, some may have been too busy, overseas, or found that it was just too complicated to lodge their tax return. If you have not lodged a tax return for a few years or you have a tax return outstanding or overdue, no matter the reason, getting up to date now will give you peace of mind. H&R Block Tax Accountants can help you with your outstanding tax returns for this and past years. Just call 13 23 25 or  find your nearest office  today and book an appointment.

Are there fines or penalties for late or past year tax returns?

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) may apply a "failure to lodge on time penalty" (FTL). The penalty is calculated at the rate of one penalty unit for each period of 28 days or part thereof that the return is overdue, up to a maximum of five penalty units. Size tests also apply, so that the penalty for larger entities is multiplied by either two or five. The late lodgement penalty is of $313 per 28 day period.

This FTL penalty calculation applies to individuals and small businesses only. Taxpaying businesses classified as medium (assessable income of more than $10 million and less than $20 million) will have the fine factor multiplied by two and entities classified as  large  (assessable income over $20 million) will have the fine amount multiplied by five.  

Further, the ATO may issue a default assessment warning letter. This letter will summarise the income on which the default assessment may be based. The letter will also tell you the date by which you must lodge the overdue return if you want to avoid being issued with a default assessment.

The ATO is more likely to apply a penalty if:

• you have more than one tax return outstanding
• you have a poor lodgement history, or
• you have not complied with a request to lodge your tax return.

Can I still submit a late tax return if I don't have all my documents and receipts?

The ATO collects information about your income from banks, employers, government agencies and other parties. This information is matched to your  Tax File Number.

With your consent, H&R Block can help by checking your lodgement status with the ATO, ascertaining which years are outstanding and accessing details that have been reported to the ATO.

At H&R Block, we'll work with you to ascertain what deductions may be relevant and help you to work out how to locate this information. Obviously the more receipts, statements and information you can find at your home or office, the easier it will be. But don't stress about it, there are some deductions you can claim without receipts.

How else can H&R Block assist me?

Completing your outstanding tax returns may also result in matching past entitlements for benefits. Standard fees apply and if your late lodgements results in a refund, you may be able to take advantage of our Fee-From-Refund service and have your fee deducted from your refund. If for some of the outstanding years, you were not required to lodge a tax return, H&R Block can submit a non-lodgement advice and make sure you're up-to-date with the tax office.

It's important to understand that once you are up to date with your tax returns, H&R Block can continue to assist you to keep up to-date with record cards, log books, annual reminders, newsletters and more. At H&R Block, nothing is too complicated.  Find an office near you  and book an appointment online or call 13 23 25.