ATO applies automatic lodgment and payment deferrals for bushfire victims in NSW and Qld

The ATO has announced that it has applied automatic lodgment and payment deferrals so that people affected by the fires can focus on getting their other affairs in order and not worry about their tax obligations at this time.

“We have applied automatic lodgment and payment deferrals to postcodes impacted by the fires, meaning if you’ve been impacted by the fires you don’t need to contact the ATO or your tax professional – we’ve already done it for you,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Andrew Watson.

The quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS) that would normally have been due on 11 November or 28 November for businesses using a tax professional will now be due on 28 January 2020.

Monthly BAS lodgers also have an extra two months to lodge and pay, with the ATO automatically extending the due date until 21 January 2020 for the form which would normally have been due on 21 November.

Aside from businesses, individuals in impacted areas who have lodged their 2018–19 income tax returns and have received a bill that would normally be due on 21 November 2019 now have until 21 January 2020 to pay.

Mr Watson added that if taxpayers are concerned about their tax obligations, they should feel free to contact the ATO to discuss how the office can support them.

“You can also discuss your options with your registered tax professional, if you have one”.

The ATO said it will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and make further decisions to include additional areas and/or provide further deferrals as needed.

Automatic deferrals have been put in place for the following 16 local government areas impacted by the bushfires:

New South Wales

• Bellingen
• Clarence Valley
• Coffs Harbour
• Glen Innes
• Severn
• Kempsey
• Inverell
• Mid Coast
• Nambucca
• Port Macquarie-Hastings
• Richmond Valley
• Tenterfield
• Uralla
• Walcha

Queensland

• Noosa
• Livingstone

Employers, however, are being reminded that they still need to meet their ongoing super guarantee obligations for their employees.

Automatic deferrals do not apply to large pay as you go withholders.

The ATO has also asked business owners to keep their ABN information up to date as it is used by Emergency Services and other government agencies during times of natural disaster and by the government to identify where financial disaster relief is needed to help businesses recover.