Have you lodged? The 2023 tax return deadline is looming

By Jack Dona · · 2 min read
Fact Checked
A back pocket of someone's jeans with $180 in Australian notes poking out of the top.

The deadline for lodging your tax return this year is 31 October 2023. 

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) urges those who have yet to lodge their return to get online or contact a registered tax agent to get it sorted. Otherwise, they may receive a fine for failing to lodge on time.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson says over 9.5 million Australians have already lodged their tax return, but that there are some stragglers still leaving it to the last minute. 

“We've seen a last-minute rush in recent weeks with lodgments increasing by 14%, but there are still some people yet to lodge,” said Thomson.

Lodging online can take as little as 30 minutes 

If you’ve got simple affairs (ie. one source of income and a few deductions to claim), then lodging your tax return through myGov’s ATO portal often takes less than 30 minutes, according to the ATO. 

Most of the information will be pre-filled and all you’ll need to do is make sure everything looks right – including adding any extra income you received and claiming tax deductions. 

RELATED: Australian tax deductions you should know about in 2023 

“For people with straight-forward affairs, lodging should take less time than mowing the lawn or folding the laundry,” said Thomson. 

Tax Help program to assist low-income earners lodge online 

The government’s Tax Help program is available to those earning less than $60,000 for the financial year, provided you did not: 

  • Work as a contractor (e.g. contract cleaner, taxi or rideshare driver) 
  • Run a business (including as a sole trader) 
  • Have partnership or trust matters
  • Sell your shares 
  • Sell an investment property
  • Own a rental property
  • Have capital gains tax (CGT) 
  • Receive royalties
  • Receive contributions from a trust (other than a managed fund)
  • Receive foreign income (not including a pension or annuity).

However, those not eligible for the Tax Help program may still qualify for the National Tax Clinic program . 

So, if you’re struggling to lodge your tax return for this year online, you’ve got a couple of options there that could help you avoid a fine for late lodgement. 

For more, check out our family finances hub! If you're trying to figure out what to do with your tax return, check out some of these savings accounts below to stash it in.