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Self-assessment

You are responsible for your tax return.

Last updated 12 March 2024

Under the self-assessment system, you take responsibility for declaring all your income and for all your claims for deductions and tax offsets when you sign your tax return. This includes when you sign it using an electronic signature.

If we pre-fill your tax return with information provided to us by your employer or other organisations, you also take responsibility for the correctness of that information when you sign your tax return.

We will issue a notice of assessment to you, usually without adjustment. However, your return may still be subject to review.

If you become aware that your tax return is incorrect, you need to request an amendment by logging in to our online servicesExternal Link.

Will you be penalised if something is missing?

We routinely compare information between what you include in your tax return and the information provided to us by employers and other organisations. If we detect discrepancies or other errors after we have issued your notice of assessment, we will contact you and may issue an amended assessment. You will be obliged to repay any tax owing, and any interest and penalties we may impose.

If you make an honest mistake when following our information in myTax and you owe us money as a result, we will not charge you a penalty. However, you must pay the money owed, and we may also charge you interest. If correcting the mistake means we owe you money, we will pay it and any interest you are entitled to.

If you voluntarily disclose mistakes in your return, we will take that into consideration in deciding what interest and penalties to impose.

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