Late tax returns, sorted one year at a time
From $149 a year. No lectures about why you are behind, and we handle the ATO on penalties.
- Any number of years, going back as far as you need
- Most of your old income is already on file with the ATO
- We ask for penalties to be waived where there is a case
This prices one year. Work out a typical year for you, then tell us how many you are behind and we will confirm the total before starting.
How catching up is priced
Each outstanding year is its own return, priced on what was in that year. A year you only had wages costs less than a year you drove for Uber. Quiet years are cheap.
What it usually comes to
- Two years on wages only: $298
- Three years on wages only: $447
- Three years driving rideshare: $987
Prices exclude GST. You get the full total in writing before we start.
You may be owed money
People who are behind often assume they owe the ATO. Frequently it is the other way around, because tax was already withheld from their pay.
If your years come back as refunds, the catch-up can pay for itself. We will tell you either way once we see the numbers.
What about penalties?
This is the worry that keeps most people from starting, so here is the honest version.
The ATO can charge a failure to lodge penalty, worked out for each period a return is late up to a capped maximum per return. In practice it is often not applied, particularly where you are due a refund or this is your first time behind.
Coming forward yourself also counts for a lot. Lodging voluntarily is treated very differently from waiting until the ATO chases you or issues its own assessment of what it thinks you earned.
Where a penalty does land and there is a fair reason for the delay, we can ask for it to be remitted. Illness, family circumstances and losing records in a move are all things the ATO will consider.
What if you have lost your records?
Less of a problem than people expect. A lot of your old income is already sitting with the ATO, and as your tax agent we can see it.
Already on file
Wages and PAYG summaries, bank interest, dividends, private health cover and government payments. These are reported to the ATO by whoever paid you.
Usually retrievable
Platform income from Uber or DoorDash, and rental statements from an agent. We tell you exactly who to ask and what to ask for.
Where we need your help
Your deductions. Nobody reports those for you, so bank statements from the time are the best starting point.
Questions people ask
How many years can I go back?
As far as you need. We regularly pick up people who are five or more years behind. Every outstanding year has to be lodged, and each one is a separate return at its own price.
Will I get in trouble for coming forward?
Lodging voluntarily is the best position to be in. The ATO treats people who come forward themselves very differently from people it has to chase, and it is far better than letting it issue its own assessment.
What if I owe money and cannot pay it?
Lodging and paying are two separate things. Get the returns in first, then the ATO can set up a payment plan over instalments. Leaving returns unlodged to avoid a debt makes both problems worse.
I do not have any of my old payslips. Can you still do it?
Usually yes. Wages, bank interest, dividends and government payments are all reported to the ATO already, and we can see that history as your tax agent.
Do I have to do all the years at once?
No, though it is generally cheaper and simpler in one go. If cash flow is tight we can start with the years most likely to produce a refund.
Start with one year
Work out what a typical year costs, then tell us how many you are behind and we will confirm the total.