Australian tax year dates and deadlines for 2026–27
The Australian income year runs from 1 July to 30 June. If you lodge your own tax return, it's due by 31 October, four months after the year ends, or the next business day if that's a weekend. For the 2025–26 year, 31 October 2026 is a Saturday, so the due date is Monday 2 November 2026. If you use a registered tax agent, you can usually lodge later, but only if you're on their books before 31 October.
| 2025–26 | 2026–27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income year | 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026 | 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027 |
| Tax return, lodging yourself | Monday 2 November 2026 (31 October is a Saturday) | Monday 1 November 2027 (31 October is a Sunday) |
| Tax return, with a registered tax agent | Later, under the agent's lodgment program, if you engage them before 31 October 2026 | The same, before 31 October 2027 |
If you use a tax agent
Most registered tax agents have a special lodgment program that lets them lodge their clients' returns after 31 October. The date that applies to you depends on your situation and on when you engaged the agent, so ask them.
The one condition to remember: if you're using a tax agent for the first time, or switching to a new one, contact them before 31 October to be included in their program. Engage them after that date and the usual deadline applies.
Using an agent doesn't move the record-keeping obligation. The records you give them are still yours to keep. See how long to keep receipts for the ATO.
BAS: the quarterly dates
If your business is registered for GST and its GST turnover is under $20 million, you'll usually lodge a business activity statement (BAS) every quarter. These are the due dates to lodge and pay:
| Quarter | Due date | For 2026–27 |
|---|---|---|
| July, August, September | 28 October | 28 October 2026 |
| October, November, December | 28 February | 1 March 2027 (28 February is a Sunday) |
| January, February, March | 28 April | 28 April 2027 |
| April, May, June | 28 July | 28 July 2027 |
Three things change these dates:
- A weekend or public holiday. You have until the next business day, which is why the December quarter of 2026–27 is due on Monday 1 March 2027.
- Lodging online. You may be eligible for an extra two weeks to lodge and pay a quarterly BAS, except for the December quarter, whose date already includes a one-month extension.
- Using a registered tax or BAS agent, who may get extra time.
Monthly BAS is due on the 21st of the following month (a July BAS is due on 21 August). You must report monthly if your GST turnover is $20 million or more, or if the ATO has told you to.
Annual GST returns, for businesses that are voluntarily registered for GST with turnover under $75,000 ($150,000 for not-for-profits), are due on 31 October, or on 28 February if you don't need to lodge a tax return.
If you're going to miss it
Lodge as soon as you can, or talk to a registered tax agent before 31 October. Getting your lodgment up to date helps you avoid late lodgment penalties and interest on any tax you owe. If you owe tax and can't pay it all at once, the ATO has payment plans; talk to them before the due date rather than after.
What to have ready
A deadline is only stressful if the paperwork isn't together. For most people that means:
- Income records: your income statement, bank interest and any other income.
- Receipts for every deduction you're claiming, unless your work-related expenses total $300 or less. See claiming deductions without receipts.
- Clear copies are fine. The ATO accepts photos of receipts, so you don't need a shoebox of paper. See are photos of receipts accepted by the ATO.
Sources
Common questions
When is the tax return due in Australia?
By 31 October if you lodge it yourself, for the income year that ended on 30 June. If 31 October falls on a weekend, you have until the next business day: for 2025–26 returns, that's Monday 2 November 2026. Registered tax agents can usually lodge later for clients who engaged them before 31 October.
When does the Australian financial year start and end?
It runs from 1 July to 30 June. The 2026–27 income year runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
When are quarterly BAS due?
28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July, for the quarters ending September, December, March and June. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, you have until the next business day.
Can I get more time to lodge?
For your tax return, yes, through a registered tax agent's lodgment program if you engage them before 31 October. For a quarterly BAS, lodging online may give you an extra two weeks, except for the December quarter.
Every figure on this page is checked against the ATO's own guidance and linked in the sources above. Last checked . Thresholds change each tax year, so if you are reading this well after that date, confirm the current figures before you rely on them. Terms.
Keep reading
How long do you need to keep receipts for the ATO?
Five years — but from a date most people get wrong. What records to keep, what a valid receipt has to show, and when the clock actually starts.
ReadAre photos of receipts accepted by the ATO?
Yes — a photo or scan is valid written evidence if it's a true and clear copy. What that means in practice, and when you can bin the paper.
ReadCan you claim deductions without receipts?
The $300 rule explained properly — what it actually lets you do, the expenses it excludes, and why treating it as a free allowance is a mistake.
Read