Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Key Takeaways
- If your income was under the tax-free threshold, and had no tax withheld, you probably don’t need to lodge a tax return, but you still need to tell the ATO
- A non-lodgement advice (NLA) is the form you submit to the ATO when you don’t need to lodge a tax return. Without it, the ATO may flag you as having an overdue return
- Even if you didn’t work, you may still have income such as bank interest, dividends, or Centrelink payments
- Etax can help you work out whether you need a tax return or a non-lodgement advice
What is a Non Lodgement Advice (NLA)?
A non-lodgement advice, also known as an NLA, is a form you send to the ATO if you do not need to lodge a tax return. This document tells the ATO you won’t be lodging a tax return this year and ensures they do not mark you down as having an outstanding or overdue tax return. This is important as the ATO may apply penalties or fines on outstanding tax returns.
When is a tax return not necessary?
If you earned $18,200 or less in the past financial year and you had no tax withheld from that income, you might not be required to lodge a tax return.
Be careful, this does not mean you can ignore your taxes. Everyone needs to either lodge a tax return or lodge a “non-lodgement advice” form.
Not sure which one applies to you? Read on.
Did you earn less than $18,200, but still paid tax?
If yes, then you should lodge a tax return. If you paid tax on income you earned during the financial year, you should always lodge a tax return. Also, if you earned less than $18,200, you’ll likely get all the tax you paid back!
Do I need to lodge a tax return?
Is your total income below the tax-free threshold? If yes, you probably don’t need to lodge a tax return unless you’ve had some tax withheld, in which case lodging a tax return will get your money back!
Do I need to lodge a tax return if I did not work?
If you did not work during a financial year, you may still need to lodge a tax return, not a non-lodgement advice. Other income that could be classed as assessable income include:
- Interest earned from bank accounts
- Dividends and other investment income
- Some payments from government agencies such as Centrelink
- Capital gains tax (CGT)
How can Etax Accountants help?
We can help you work out whether you need to lodge a tax return this year. If you don’t need to do a tax return, we’ll submit the required ATO non-lodgement document for you – for free! Some tax agents advertise prices “from $50”, and that includes non-lodgement submissions!
Unlike most tax agents, Etax Accountants does not charge any fees for simply lodging a non lodgement advice form.
How to get started:
- Simply register your details and select the return year
- Enter your basic details, including bank details (for any refund you may receive)
- Click “My Messages” in the menu at the top of the page, click “Send new message”, then choose the subject “Other”
- In the message area, type something like, “Do I need to lodge a tax return this year?” then click send
Our accountants will review your details and get back to you with personalised advice. If they find that you need an NLA, they’ll lodge it for you – for free.
If your details require a tax return, we can take care of that too, for a surprisingly low fee.
Learn more about Etax fees on our fees page.
Frequently asked questions
A non-lodgement advice (NLA) is a form you submit to the ATO to let them know you are not required to lodge a tax return for a given financial year. It prevents the ATO from treating your return as outstanding or overdue.
You may need a tax return if you earned taxable income, had tax withheld, received certain government payments, or made a capital gain. If none of these apply, you may only need to submit a non-lodgement advice. Etax can help you check which option applies to you.
Yes, if you are not required to lodge a tax return that year, you should submit a non-lodgement advice. You need to do this for every year you’re not required to lodge a return.
The ATO may consider your tax return overdue, and this can lead to penalties. Lodging an NLA ensures your tax affairs are up to date, even if you had no income to declare.
Yes, but a registered tax agent like Etax can do it for you at no charge.
No. A tax return is how you report your income and claim a refund or pay any tax owing. A non-lodgement advice simply notifies the ATO that you have no obligation to lodge a tax return that year.
Nothing. Etax lodges non-lodgement advice submissions for free. Some tax agents charge a fee for this service, Etax does not!
You may still have assessable income even if you weren’t employed. This includes interest from bank accounts, dividends, some Centrelink payments, and capital gains from selling assets.
Finish your tax return or non-lodgement advice in minutes
Etax.com.au is Australia’s favourite online tax return since 1998. Get started today for your easiest tax return ever.
