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GenL(Newbie)Newbie
31 Aug 2025

Retired, and haven’t lodged tax returns for 6 years (including this one) as I have no income and didn’t think I had to. I have made withdrawals from my superannuation on 3 of those years, but as tax was deducted at source so didn’t know I had to lodge a return. BUT…

Recently went to do my mothers tax return (have POA) and noticed some alerts on my MyGov that 5 years were overdue. I can do do, and happy to pay any arrears from my bank interest.

However I am VERY worried about potential fines, as I don’t have that much super. Are they likely to fine me?

271 views
2 replies
271 views
2 replies

All replies

YEP(Devotee)Devotee
31 Aug 2025

They will at the very least apply a General Interest Charge if you have any tax payable.


How GIC works is here - https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/paying-the-ato/interest-and-penalties/interest-we-charge/general-interest-charge

KaraATO(Community Support)Community Support
3 Sept 2025

Hey @GenL,


Depending on other reporting obligations, if you're 60 years old or older and your only source of income is super benefits from a taxed source, you will not need to lodge a tax return unless you've had tax withheld on your PAYG payment summary – superannuation income stream.


As you have an active Tax File Number (TFN) the system will keep generating the tax returns each financial year.


Your options come tax time are:

  • lodge the tax return if you have income from other sources or reporting requirements
  • return a non-lodgment advice form - this notifies us that you did not have to lodge in that current financial year, or
  • notify us on the relevant tax return that you no longer have reporting requirements.


Possibly there may be some sort of penalties and interest on your account if there are outstanding tax returns.


You can request a remission for the penalties and interest, if any have been applied. Ensure you read through the remission page on our website first.


If you're unsure, call our individual line and we can speak further about it with you.

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