Key highlights

  • About 9 million 2025–26 individual returns have been received, with around 2 million self-preparers still to lodge.
  • The deadline is 11:59 pm local time on Monday 2 November 2026, because 31 October falls on a weekend.
  • The ATO says it has stopped more than 10,000 returns linked to unregistered preparers, containing over $170 million in deduction claims.

With just over two weeks until the cut-off, the Australian Taxation Office has urged people who prepare their own tax returns to lodge now. The ATO said on 19 October 2026 that it has received around 9 million individual income tax returns for 2025–26, while around 2 million self-preparers have yet to file.

The deadline and the extra days

Self-preparers have until 11:59 pm local time on Monday 2 November 2026 to submit on time. Because the usual 31 October deadline falls on a weekend this year, taxpayers have a couple of extra days.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Anita Challen said the extra time should not be treated as a reason to wait. She said people who rush are more likely to make mistakes or overlook important information, and pointed out that the ATO has pre-filled most of the information taxpayers need. For taxpayers with straightforward affairs, she said, lodging through myTax takes eight minutes on average.

Why people lodge late or not at all

The ATO described three common reasons. First, some people do not realise they need to lodge. Retirees and lower-income earners may assume they are outside the system, but income from events such as selling an investment property can create lodgment obligations, and anyone who had tax withheld by an employer may be owed a refund even if they earned below the tax-free threshold.

Second, some people expect a tax bill and put off lodging. The ATO said delaying does not change when a bill is due, which is generally 21 November for self-preparers, and that late lodgment can bring failure-to-lodge penalties of up to $1,820. Taxpayers in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the ATO or their registered tax professional early to discuss support.

Third, some underestimate how long it takes to gather records. The ATO said keeping records digitally, including through the free ATO app, can make tax time easier. Taxpayers who are not required to lodge, for example because their income is below the tax-free threshold and no tax was withheld, should submit a non-lodgment advice form.

Warning on unregistered preparers

The ATO also reminded taxpayers who use a tax professional to confirm that the person is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board and that they are on the professional’s books by 31 October. The reminder follows an increase in returns suspected of being prepared by unregistered preparers who charge fees while encouraging false or inflated claims.

So far this tax time, the ATO said it has stopped more than 10,000 returns suspected of being prepared by unregistered preparers, containing more than $170 million in deduction claims. Ms Challen said no reputable professional will encourage inflated deductions, guarantee a refund or claim they can fast-track processing. She also noted that taxpayers make a legal declaration that their return is true and correct, and that those who use an unregistered preparer do not have access to the safe harbour provisions available when a registered professional is used.

TPB Chair Peter de Cure said unregistered preparers are an important compliance priority for the board because they expose taxpayers to significant risks and undermine the integrity of the tax system. He encouraged taxpayers to look for the registered tax practitioner symbol and check the TPB register, and said suspected unregistered activity can be reported to the board.

Tools and tax professionals’ deadline

The ATO said its app is the best way to check the progress of a return, and that its website and the ATO Community offer self-help tools. Tax time resources are available in languages other than English, including new content in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Registered tax professionals have until 31 October to lodge overdue prior-year returns for existing clients and add new clients to their client lists.