ATO's lodgment penalty amnesty is about to end
Liz Gibbs • December 1, 2023

ATO's lodgment penalty amnesty is about to end

The ATO is remitting failure to lodge penalties for eligible small businesses. Businesses which have not yet taken advantage of the ATO's lodgment penalty amnesty only have until 31 December 2023 to do so.



Businesses must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the amnesty:

  • had an annual turnover under $10 million when the original lodgment was due;
  • have overdue income tax returns, business activity statements or FBT returns that were due between 1 December 2019 and 28 February 2022; and
  • lodge between 1 June and 31 December 2023.


When taxpayers lodge their eligible income tax returns, business activity statements and FBT returns, failure to lodge penalties will be remitted without the need to apply. The amnesty does not apply to privately owned groups or individuals controlling over $5 million of net wealth.


Directors who bring their company lodgments up to date can also have penalties remitted and, if they are reliant on company lodgments to finalise their own tax affairs, any failure to lodge penalties will be remitted. This also applies to eligible lodgments made between 1 June and 31 December 2023.


Need Help?

We understand that this can all be somewhat bewildering, so if you would like a little help, please get in touch with us for assistance. We can help with your FBT, GST, business, bookkeeping tax and SMSF requirements.


Please also note that many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances. Should you have any further questions, please get in touch with us for assistance with your SMSF, business, bookkeeping and tax requirements. All rights reserved. Brought to you by RGA Business and Tax Accountants. Liability Limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.



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