Tax Return Deadline Extension: Get More Time to Lodge With a Registered Tax Agent

Q: What if I have outstanding returns from earlier years?

Contact us as soon as you can. Overdue returns can change your due date. We can help you lodge them and get up to date.

Running out of time? Our tax agents can check if you qualify for more time, so you do not pay late fees by mistake.

Home » Tax Return Deadline Extension Australia

Not everyone is ready to lodge by the due date. Maybe a document is missing. Maybe you have rental income, shares or a second job. Maybe life just got busy.

The good news is that the ATO has a program that gives more time to people who use a registered tax agent. You must join the agent’s client list before the due date.

AMA Accountants is an ATO-registered tax agent and CPA/IPA firm in Adelaide. We have 25 years of experience. We help people across Australia, in person or online. We check if you qualify, explain it in plain English and look after your return from start to finish.

Want to check if you qualify? Call (08) 7111 0100 or send your details through the form on this page.

Fill The form to check Tax Return Deadline Extension

Important Update:

2026 update: The tax return due date for most people is Monday 2 November 2026. The usual date is 31 October, but it fell on a Saturday this year. If you need more time, you may be able to register with a tax agent. Call us on (08) 7111 0100 to check.

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Time is running out. Register by 2 Nov.

Quick Answers

When is the tax return due date? Usually 31 October. If that day falls on a weekend, the date moves to the next business day. In 2026, it is 2 November.
Can I get more time? Maybe. You may qualify if you register with a tax agent before the due date.
How much more time? Often several months. For the 2026 return, it may be as late as 17 May 2027. Your exact date depends on your situation.
What if I miss the date? Lodge as soon as you can. The ATO may charge a late fee that grows over time.
Do I get an extension automatically? No. You must register first, and the ATO rules must be met.

Ready to Check If You Can Get More Time?

Do not guess about tax deadlines. A quick check can save you money and stress.

Contact AMA Accountants today. We will see if you qualify and look after your return from start to finish.

What Is a Tax Return Deadline Extension?

Each year, most people must lodge their tax return by 31 October. “Lodge” means to send your return to the ATO. “ATO” stands for Australian Taxation Office, which is the government tax office.

If you lodge on your own, that date is firm. But if you use a registered tax agent, the ATO may give you a later date. This is called the tax agent lodgment program. People often call it a “tax return extension”.

An extension does not change when you must pay any tax you owe. It only gives you more time to lodge the return. If you think you will owe tax, we can talk about that too.

Who May Qualify for a Tax Return Extension?

Every case is different, but the ATO usually looks at these things:

You register with a tax agent before the due date. This is the most important rule. Once the date passes, it is too late to join the program for that year.
Your past tax returns are up to date. If you have returns you never lodged in earlier years, your due date may be earlier. We can help you catch up.
You have not already lodged this year’s return. If you have already lodged, you do not need an extension.

We check your tax history with the ATO before we say yes or no. We do not guess. You get a clear answer, and we explain what it means for you.

Why People Ask for More Time?

You do not need a big reason. Many of our clients ask for an extension because:

They are still waiting for a document, such as a rental statement or a share report
They have rental properties and need time to sort out income and costs
They sold shares or crypto and need to work out capital gains
They had more than one job during the year
They worked as a sole trader, in the gig economy or as a contractor
They moved overseas, or were a working holiday maker or a foreign resident
They are a FIFO worker or have complex travel claims
They need help with an estate, a separation or another life event
They simply want a tax agent to check it all properly

A rushed return can leave money on the table. It can also cause mistakes the ATO may question later. More time can help you get it right.

Ready to Check If You Can Get More Time?

Do not guess about tax deadlines. A quick check can save you money and stress.

Contact AMA Accountants today. We will see if you qualify and look after your return from start to finish.

How to Register for a Tax Return Extension With AMA Accountants

Contact Us Before the Due Date

Call us, send a message or fill in the form on this page. Do this as early as you can. Remember, you must join our client list before the due date.

Answer a Few Questions

We ask about your past tax returns and your work and income this year. This helps us see if you may qualify.

We Check Your Details

We look at your record with the ATO. We make sure everything is in order. If there are problems, such as missing returns, we tell you straight away.

We Confirm Your New Date

If you qualify, we tell you your new lodgment date and what we need from you. If you do not qualify, we explain why and what to do next.

We Prepare and Lodge Your Return

When you are ready, we gather your documents, find every deduction you can claim and lodge your return. We explain the result in plain English before we send anything.

You can meet us at our Woodville office in Adelaide, or do everything online or by phone.

Documents You May Need

Having these ready makes things faster:

Your income statement (this used to be called a payment summary)
Details of interest, dividends and any share or crypto sales
Rental property income and expense records
Receipts and records for work-related deductions, such as tools, uniforms, training and travel
Private health insurance statement
Your bank details for your refund
Any ATO letters you have received

Missing something? Tell us. We can often help you find it.

Ready to Check If You Can Get More Time?

Do not guess about tax deadlines. A quick check can save you money and stress.

Contact AMA Accountants today. We will see if you qualify and look after your return from start to finish.

What Happens If You Miss the Due Date?

If you miss the date and you are not in the tax agent program, you should lodge as soon as you can.

The ATO may charge a failure to lodge penalty. Here is how it works:

The penalty is based on “penalty units”. Each unit is currently $364.
You may be charged 1 penalty unit for every 28 days your return is late.
The most is 5 penalty units. For most individuals, that is up to $1,820.
If you owe tax, the ATO may also add interest on the unpaid amount.

A late return also means a later refund. The ATO cannot pay you until your return is lodged.

If you are already late, do not panic. We can help you lodge, and in some cases we can ask the ATO to reduce a penalty. The sooner we start, the better.

Have Old Tax Returns You Never Lodged?

Many people have one or more years they never lodged. It happens, and it is fixable.

If you have overdue returns:

Your due date for this year may be earlier than other people’s
The ATO may send letters or add penalties
You may even be owed refunds from past years

We help you catch up with overdue tax returns, one year at a time, in a calm and organised way. There is no judgment. We just help you get back on track.

Ready to Check If You Can Get More Time?

Do not guess about tax deadlines. A quick check can save you money and stress.

Contact AMA Accountants today. We will see if you qualify and look after your return from start to finish.

Why Choose AMA Accountants?

You are trusting us with your tax details. You should know who we are.

Registered with the Tax Practitioners Board (registration number 25993228)
CPA and IPA members. We follow professional standards and keep training every year
25 years in business. We are an established Adelaide firm
20,000+ tax returns lodged every year. We deal with the ATO daily
20+ tax consultants. Your return does not depend on one person
Highly rated by clients. We have a 5.0-star Google rating from hundreds of reviews
Local and online. Visit 477 Torrens Road, Woodville SA, or work with us from anywhere in Australia

AMA Accountants

Company Statistics

20,000 +

Returns Annually

20 +

Tax Consultants

20 M

In Claimed Deductions

25 +

Years Experience

Ready to Check If You Can Get More Time?

Do not guess about tax deadlines. A quick check can save you money and stress.

Contact AMA Accountants today. We will see if you qualify and look after your return from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I extend my tax return deadline in Australia?

You can register with a registered tax agent before the due date. If you qualify under the ATO’s tax agent lodgment program, you may get a later lodgment date. You cannot ask for an extension after the due date has passed.

Do I have to be an existing client to register?

No. New clients can register too. You just need to do it before the due date. We will check if you qualify.

I am already your client. Do I need to register again?

If you are already on our client list, we will tell you if anything else is needed. If you are not sure, call us.

How long can my due date be extended?

It depends on your situation. For many people, the new date is several months later. For the 2026 return, it may be as late as 17 May 2027. We confirm your exact date after we check your details.

Does an extension mean I can pay my tax later?

No. An extension gives you more time to lodge, not more time to pay. If you owe tax, talk to us about your options

What if I have outstanding returns from earlier years?

What if I miss the deadline?

Lodge as soon as you can. The penalty can grow every 28 days, so waiting makes it worse. We can help you lodge and talk to the ATO.

Can you help if I live outside Adelaide?

Yes. We work with clients in every state and territory, fully online or by phone. You can upload your documents securely.

Ready to Check If You Can Get More Time?

Do not guess about tax deadlines. A quick check can save you money and stress.

Contact AMA Accountants today. We will see if you qualify and look after your return from start to finish.

Phone: (08) 7111 0100
Mobile / WhatsApp: 0420 529 890
Email: finance@amaaccountant.com.au
Office: 477 Torrens Road, Woodville SA 5011
Online: available across Australia

AMA Accountants is a registered tax agent (TPB registration number 25993228). This page is general information only and is not personal advice. Whether you qualify for a later due date depends on your own tax history and the ATO’s rules. Penalty amounts and dates can change.