Company Tax Return
Annual tax return for Australian companies, lodging income, deductions, franking account balance, dividend imputation and reconciling PAYG instalments paid. The company rate is 25 percent for a base rate entity, which has aggregated turnover under A$50 million and no more than 80 percent of assessable income from passive sources. All other companies pay 30 percent. PAYG instalments paid during the year are credited against the final tax.
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Who this applies to
- All Australian-resident companies
- Foreign companies with Australian-source income
- Public trading trusts taxed as companies
- Companies with a related-party loan to a shareholder or associate, which needs a Division 7A review
What to file
Company Tax Return form with profit & loss, balance sheet, reconciliation, franking account balance, R&D claim if applicable, and CGT schedules.
How to file
Via ATO Online Services for Business, or through a registered tax agent. Most companies use a tax agent for the additional time and expertise.
Payment due
Balance of company tax due same date as return. Quarterly PAYG instalments throughout the year reduce the year-end balance.
Penalties for missing this deadline
FTL penalty up to 5 units (A$1,650 default) per overdue document. GIC on unpaid tax (~11.36% pa). ATO can issue default assessments where returns are seriously overdue. The penalty unit is A$364 for documents due on or after 1 July 2026, so the cap is A$1,820. A return that fell due before 1 July 2026 uses the earlier A$330 unit. The general interest charge is 11.43% a year for July to September 2026.
Filing checklist
- Finalise statutory accounts under AAS
- Reconcile accounting profit to taxable income
- Calculate base rate entity status (turnover < A$50m and ≤80% passive income)
- Apply correct rate (25% or 30%)
- Update franking account balance
- Lodge via tax agent or self-service
- Pay balance via BPAY
Documents you'll need
- Trial balance and financial statements for the year
- Fixed asset register with depreciation under the small business rules
- Franking account and dividend records
- PAYG instalment notices and BAS records
- Loan agreements between the company and shareholders (Division 7A)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Misclassifying base rate entity status (passive income test)
- Forgetting to reconcile franking credits to dividends paid
- Missing R&D claim by not registering with AusIndustry first
- Treating Division 7A loans as dividends after balance date
Never miss a Australia deadline
AccountsOS tracks every Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) deadline and reminds you weeks ahead.
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