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MJE Business Services

Company Tax Return Deadlines: Don't Miss the 28 February Date

Last reviewed: 2026-06-15Tax Deadlines

Company Tax Return Deadlines: Don't Miss the 28 February Date

Short answer: many small companies have a 28 February 2026 deadline for the 2024-25 return - not the friendly 31 October date that applies to most individuals - and missing it can trigger penalties that build up surprisingly fast. From our office in Mortdale we lodge company returns across Sydney's south, so here is how company deadlines work, why a registered tax agent makes a real difference, and what happens if things run late.

When is a company tax return due?

Company due dates depend on your circumstances and lodgment history, so there is no single date for every business. The most common situations:

  • Many small companies: lodgment and payment are generally due 28 February (so 28 February 2026 for the 2024-25 return). This typically applies to companies that are up to date and were not large or medium taxpayers in the prior year.
  • Companies with a prior-year return outstanding: if you had an overdue return from the previous year, your due date for the current year can be brought forward to 31 October.
  • Some larger companies and certain other entities: a later date of 15 May can apply, depending on the entity and its history.

Because the right date depends on your specific position, the safest approach is to have your agent confirm it rather than assume. We do this routinely as part of our business tax service.

A useful rule of thumb: a brand-new company lodging its first return, or a company with a clean lodgment record, will often sit on the 28 February date - but always have it checked.

How does the tax agent lodgment program help my company?

Just like individuals, companies that lodge through a registered tax agent fall under the ATO's lodgment program, which sets the concessional due dates above (the 28 February and 15 May dates) - generally later and more workable than they would otherwise be.

To get the benefit:

  • You need to be a client of the agent and on their program.
  • Your prior-year obligations should be up to date - outstanding returns can pull your due date forward to 31 October and remove the concession.
  • Lodgment is done electronically through the agent's systems.

This is one of the quiet advantages of using a tax agent for your company. It is not only about getting the numbers right - it is about accessing later, more manageable deadlines and having someone watching the calendar for you. For the small businesses we look after around Hurstville, Kogarah and Penshurst, that calendar also includes quarterly obligations - see our companion guide to quarterly BAS due dates. If you are setting up or have recently set up a company, our new business setup and ASIC compliance services cover both the tax and the corporate side, and sole trader vs company is worth a read if you are still weighing up your structure.

When does the company have to pay?

For many small companies, lodgment and payment fall on the same date - so a 28 February lodgment date generally also means tax is payable by 28 February. This is different from individuals, where payment can be a separate, later date.

Because the bill and the deadline arrive together, planning ahead matters. A short conversation before year end, through our tax planning service, can help you set money aside and avoid a cash-flow squeeze when the date arrives.

Penalties for lodging late

If a company return is lodged after its due date, the ATO can apply a failure to lodge on time (FTL) penalty. It is calculated using penalty units for each 28-day period (or part of it) that the return is overdue, up to a maximum of five units. One penalty unit is $330 (for offences on or after 7 November 2024), and the base penalty is multiplied for medium and large entities - so it can become significant quickly. On top of the penalty, general interest charge applies to any tax paid late.

What this means in practice:

  • Lodging late is rarely worth it - the penalty and interest usually outweigh any short-term convenience.
  • If you genuinely cannot meet a date, talk to us early. As your agent we can request a deferral in appropriate circumstances, giving extra time without the FTL penalty.
  • If you have one or more prior returns outstanding, please reach out. Bringing a company up to date promptly limits the damage and gets you back onto the concessional program dates.

FAQ

My company made a loss - do I still need to lodge? Yes. A company generally must lodge a tax return each year even if it made no profit or had no activity. Lodging a loss can be valuable too, as losses may be carried forward to offset future profits.

We are a brand-new company. When is our first return due? New companies often fall on the 28 February date, but it depends on registration timing and your situation. Let us confirm it so you are not caught out.

Can you stop the penalties if we are already late? We can help you lodge as quickly as possible and, where there are genuine reasons, request that the ATO remit the penalty. The sooner you contact us, the more options we have.

Don't let 28 February sneak up

Company deadlines are stricter than individual ones, but they are easy to manage with the right support. If you run a company in Mortdale, Oatley, Peakhurst or anywhere across the St George area, book a callback at our contact page or call (02) 9580 1167 and we will confirm your company's exact due date and handle the lodgment.

Written by the team at MJE Business Services, a registered tax agent (No. 26313222) serving the St George area since 2000.

This is general information, not personal advice. Tax rules and dates change - please check your situation with us or at ato.gov.au.

Sources (ATO)

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