When you should amend your tax return
To amend your tax return, to fix a mistake or include additional information you can lodge a request online, by paper, through your tax agent or by sending us a letter.
Individuals and sole traders can request an amendment to their income tax return if you:
- have made a mistake
- forgot to include something
- had a change in circumstance after lodging.
We don't charge a fee if you request an amendment and you don't have to send in another tax return unless we ask you to.
If submitting a form or letter, you should keep a copy of your request for your records. If using our online services, you'll be able to access your details at any time.
You can check our website if you are unsure whether you are reporting the correct information, including:
- general advice for
- tools and calculators.
Before you lodge your amendment, check the time limits on tax return amendments. If you are outside this time you may need to lodge an objection instead.
Online through ATO online
You can submit an amendment to your income tax return using our online services.
An online amendment takes about 20 days to process.
Regardless of how you lodged your original tax return, you can request an amendment of your assessment online.
You need a myGov account linked to the ATO to access our online services.
To lodge your amendment online through myGov:
- sign in to your myGov account
- select ATO from your linked services
- select Manage tax returns from the Quick link.
- select Amend next to the income year you want to amend.
To lodge your amendment online through the ATO app:
- log in to the ATO app
- select View next to Your tax return
- select View tax return
- select Amend.
To amend a label in our online services, select the relevant field and over-write the amount with the correct amount.
To add:
- a new type of income, deduction or tax offset – go to the Personalise return screen and select the relevant checkbox
- an additional payment summary, interest or dividend record, deduction to existing records – go to the Prepare return screen and select the Add/Edit button for that section.
Completing a paper amendment form
If you can't request an amendment online, you can send us the form, request for amendment of income tax return for individuals
It takes up to 50 business days to process requests made in writing.
If you complete the form yourself, you must sign the paper form.
Through a registered tax agent
If you use a registered tax agent, you can ask them to complete an amendment to your tax return on your behalf.
Your tax agent can complete and submit the income tax amendment electronically for you through the Practitioner Lodgment Service (PLS).
An amendment to a return can be lodged through the PLS, even if the original return or a previous amendment was not made through the PLS.
Your tax agent can alternatively send us the form, request for amendment of income tax return lodged by tax professionals.
It takes up to 50 business days to process requests made in writing.
By sending a letter
If you choose not to amend your return online or use the paper amendment form, you can write us a letter.
It takes up to 50 business days to process requests made in writing.
Your letter must include all relevant information, including copies of any documents that support your request as well as the following information:
- your tax file number (TFN)
- your full name
- your postal address
- a daytime phone number (if convenient) or mobile number
- your bank account details (in case there is a refund amount)
- the year shown on the tax return you want to amend – for example, 2024
- the question number your change relates to and description
- the amount of income or deductions you're adding or subtracting and the correct total amount (if relevant)
- the amount of tax offsets you're adding or subtracting and the correct total amount (if relevant)
- the reason for the change or an explanation of how you made the mistake
- your signature and dated declaration as follows
- I declare that all the information I have given in this letter, including any attachments, is true and correct
- I have the necessary receipts or other records to support my claims for amendment.
You or your representative should send it, including all attachments, to us:
- by post to
Australian Taxation Office
PO Box 3004
PENRITH NSW 2740 - by fax to 1300 730 239.