Tax amendment

[#1]

Hi everyone,
Back in 2016 when I did my first tax return I didn’t tick that I was an Australian resident for tax purposes. This resulted in me paying a tax debt (only around $2000) which at the time I did not know I had done wrong. Now I have gone back and amended the tax return (in 2019), filled it out correctly and it says I don’t owe anything. What I’m wondering is once the amendment has been processed will I receive back the money I paid as a debt? Has this happened to anyone before? any help will be much appreciated, Thankyou.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

hi @Chelseea122 

There are strict time limits on amendments and generally they have to be done within 2 years and this is on the ATO website here.

So even though you have amended the 2016 financial year return and it shows you do not owe anything you may not get anything back if your out of that 2 year time period.

If they do not refund you anything then the only thing you can do is to lodge an objection against the 2 year time limit but even this may be futile.

A lot of people get caught out by this.

Good luck with this

ATO 13 28 61