Company Tax Return in Australia – Lodgement Requirements, Deadlines & How to File

A Company Tax Return is an official report submitted to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) each year, showing a company’s income, deductions, and the tax it owes.

Every company registered in Australia, even those with no income, must file a tax return annually. At Ozobooks, we make sure your return is accurate, compliant, and filed on time to avoid ATO penalties.

Who Must Lodge a Company Tax Return?

• All companies registered with ASIC, including:
  
  • Active trading companies
    
  • Dormant companies
    
  • Investment companies
    
• Companies that made a loss or zero profit
  

If your company is registered, it must lodge a return regardless of activity.

What’s Included in a Company Tax Return?

• Total business income
  
• Deductions and expenses
  
• Taxable income calculation
  
• Tax offsets or credits
  
• Tax payable (based on applicable rate)
  
• Details of franking credits and losses carried forward
  

Lodgement Deadlines

Lodger Type	Due Date
Self-lodged	28 February (for most)
Through tax agent	Varies (up to 15 May)
Late registration	Due upon registration

Late lodgement can trigger ATO penalties and loss of compliance status.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to lodge due to zero income
  
• Reporting incorrect tax rate (e.g. BRE vs standard)
  
• Missing ATO deadlines
  
• Not carrying forward tax losses properly
  

How Ozobooks Helps

• Prepares and reviews your financial reports
  
• Determines correct company tax rate
  
• Completes and lodges the return with the ATO
  
• Ensures accurate classification of income, deductions, and franking
  
• Tracks deadlines to prevent penalties
  

FAQ:

Q1: Do I need to file a return if I made no money?
Yes. ASIC-registered companies must report even if inactive.

Q2: What if I close my company mid-year?
You still need to file a final return before deregistration.

Q3: Can I lodge my company tax return myself?
Yes, but errors are costly. Most businesses use registered agents.

Q4: Is company tax paid when lodging?
Tax is payable by the due date listed on your notice of assessment.