I have been receiving fortnightly payments of the Family Tax Benefit all year. Do I still have a deadline for lodging my tax return?
You have 12 months after the end of the year to lodge your tax return so the FAO can check you have been receiving the correct amount. If you over estimated your income you will receive a top-up payment but if you underestimated your income they will require the overpayment to be paid back. This means that for payments received during the 2008-2009 income year you will be required to lodge your 2009 tax return by 30 June 2010. If you have a partner, their tax return will also have to be lodged by that date. Failure to meet the deadline could result in your payments being stopped and the repayment of amounts already received. If you are not required, by the ATO, to lodge a tax return then you should notify the FAO.