Lodging the company tax return and schedules
Companies that derived assessable income in 2023–24 must lodge a company tax return for 2023–24.
Companies that carry forward losses (that exceed $1,000) to 2024–25 must also lodge a tax return for 2023–24, even when no assessable income was derived in 2023–24.
Non-profit companies that are residents and have taxable income of $416 or less don't have to lodge a tax return, unless specifically requested.
Keep records so that the information you report in your tax return can be verified at a later date, if required.
For a list of schedules that you can send with your Company tax return 2024, see Schedules for companies. If you lodge a schedule separately from your tax return, complete the taxpayer's declaration section of the schedule.
Don't send other unlisted schedules or documents with your Company tax return 2024. Keep these schedules or documents with your tax records.
You can lodge elections required by Taxation Ruling IT 2624 Income tax: company self assessment; elections and other notifications; additional (penalty) tax; false or misleading statement with your company tax return.
First company tax return
Apply for a tax file number (TFN) before lodging your first tax return to ensure that payments are credited to the correct account. You can apply for a TFN at abr.gov.auExternal Link.
If the company has applied for a TFN, but has not received notification of its TFN at the time of lodging its Company tax return 2024, include a copy of the TFN application with the tax return. Prominently highlight the TFN application with the following words in block letters:
‘ATTENTION COPY ONLY – TFN NOT RECEIVED WHEN LODGING 2024 TAX RETURN’
There may be delays in processing a tax return lodged without a TFN.
If the company does not have a copy of the original TFN application, contact us.
Lodgment due date
The date for lodgment of the company tax return (including any relevant schedules) is notified in a legislative instrument on the Federal Register of LegislationExternal Link.
We may allow later lodgment dates, see income tax due dates for lodging and paying.
Companies with an approved substituted accounting period (SAP), see due dates for SAPs.
You must lodge your tax return and all the required schedules by the due date.
If you lodge your tax return without all the required schedules, we may not consider it to have been lodged in the approved form.
Unless your tax return and all schedules are lodged by the due date, you may be charged a penalty for failing to lodge on time.
Don't attach your payment to your company tax return, see How to pay your company's tax debt.
Lodgment address
The postal address for lodgment of your company tax return is below.
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
IN YOUR CAPITAL CITY
The address must appear as shown above.
Don't send payments to this address, for payment information see How to pay your company's tax debt.
To write to us, send your correspondence to:
Australian Taxation Office
PO Box 9990
PENRITH NSW 2740
Lodging the tax return from outside Australia
Foreign resident companies carrying on a business in Australia or deriving Australian income need to provide an Australian address for service in their tax return.
This may be an Australian postal address.
If you have no Australian postal address, provide the address of the appointed public officer.
If the tax return relates only to a foreign resident capital gain under Division 855 and there is no presence in Australia, an overseas address is acceptable.
If you are sending your paper tax return from outside Australia, post it to:
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 9845
SYDNEY NSW 2001, AUSTRALIA
How to pay your company's tax debt
How and when to pay your tax debt and what to do if you can't pay your tax debt when due.
Paying your tax debt
The tax payable by a company for an income year becomes due and payable on the statutory due date, which is the first day of the sixth month of the following income year. For example, for 30 June balancing companies the statutory due date is 1 December.
We offer a range of convenient payment options, for the full list, see How to pay. Your payments must reach us on or before the due date.
When you use a valid payment reference number (PRN), your payment may take up to 4 business days to appear on your ATO account.
We apply general interest charge (GIC) to any outstanding amounts owing after the due date.
If you can’t pay your tax debt when due
You are expected to organise your affairs to ensure that you pay your debts on time.
If you can't pay your debt on time, you may be eligible for a payment plan. You need to consider how much you can pay so you can meet each ongoing payment amount, and future obligations.
We recommend you use the payment plan estimator to work out a plan you can afford.
Even if you enter into a payment plan, GIC will accrue on the unpaid amount on a compounding basis. If your business owes $200,000 or less you can set up a payment plan:
- through Online Services for businessExternal Link – select Accounts and payments then Payment plans
- through your registered tax agent or BAS agent who can use online services to enter a payment plan on your behalf
- by phoning our automated service for business enquiries.
To set up a payment plan, you need your Australian business number (ABN) or tax file number (TFN), and the full details of your outstanding amount.
If your business owes over $200,000, phone our lodge and pay enquiry line during operating hours to discuss your options.
Continue to: Schedules for companies
Return to: What’s new for companies?