I need urgent help. I have overdue lodgments and payments required. My little family has taken blow after blow and I am so overwhelmed I have tried to engage the services of an accountant to help me get this sorted. I can’t sleep or eat properly and I’m so ashamed to be in this situation. I just want it gone and into an arrangement I can manage but I can’t seem to get anywhere.
Hi @Needhelp210,
I'm sorry to hear you've been going through a tough time. The first thing to focus on is getting a clear plan in place so it's more manageable and less overwhelming for you. I've listed below some practical steps you can take.
Address overdue lodgments
A good approach is to:
It’s important to keep any new lodgments and payments up to date while you’re catching up, so things don’t continue to build. Typically, we won't approve any payment plans where there are outstanding lodgments, as new or overdue lodgments can automatically cancel a plan.
You're not alone. If you’re unsure what to do with older returns, we recently responded to a similar post that may help guide you. It steps through how to check if you need to lodge and how to track down any missing info.
Ask for time if you need it
If you need extra time to get everything lodged, you can phone our lodge and pay enquiry line to ask for additional time. This will give you breathing space and stops the situation from escalating. Interest may still accrue but in some circumstances you can ask us to remit the penalty.
When you call, it helps to be realistic about timeframes - it’s okay to ask for enough time rather than feeling pressured to meet a date that isn’t achievable. It may help to give a loose timeframe for when you can lodge each outstanding item.
Payment options once lodgments are up to date
Once everything is lodged, if you can’t pay the balance in full, you can ask for a payment plan either online or by phoning us. The payment plan estimator tool is really useful because you can see what’s likely to be accepted.
Extra support
If you’re able to, engaging a tax agent can help. They can deal with us directly on your behalf, which might take some pressure off.
If you're experiencing financial hardship, we may be able to provide additional support. We’re here to help you work toward an arrangement you can manage. Calling us when you’re ready and able to talk things through is a good next step.
Another avenue I wanted to include is the National debt helpline. It's a free service available for individuals, including those with sole trader businesses.
15 Apr 2026 · 4 min read time
16 July 2025 · 5 min read time
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