--- title: ATO fines / penalties and interest charges (Australia) description: The key thing to be aware of here is your due dates for lodgements. When we're preparing your IAS and BAS returns and we are waiting on further information or your electronic signature to complete you --- [Skip to content](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/ato-fines-and-interest-charges#main-content) ![](https://support.standardledger.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Standard%20Ledger%20Logo_RGB_transparent.png?height=40&name=Standard%20Ledger%20Logo_RGB_transparent.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](mailto:support@standardledger.co) [Contact us](mailto:support@standardledger.co) Hi, how can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [TAX and COMPLIANCE](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/tax-and-compliance?hsLang=en) 3. [ATO information](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/tax-and-compliance?hsLang=en#ato-information) # ATO fines / penalties and interest charges (Australia) The key thing to be aware of here is your [due dates](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/what-are-the-key-due-dates-i-need-to-be-aware-of-for-lodgement?hsLang=en) for lodgements. When we're [preparing your IAS and BAS returns](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/how-we-prepare-and-lodge-your-ias-/-bas?hsLang=en) and we are waiting on further information or your [electronic signature](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/e-signing-your-tax-/-bas-returns?hsLang=en) to complete your return we will send you up to 3 reminders in the weeks up to and including the due date, with **the final reminder being sent on the Due Date itself. We will** *not* **send you further reminders past the due date** but will periodically re-check or wait for you to contact us to provide the necessary information. **What happens if a due date is missed?** The ATO can and does apply [penalties](https://www.ato.gov.au/general/interest-and-penalties/penalties/failure-to-lodge-on-time-penalty/) if you fail to lodge on time (hence why we send three reminders). Occasional lapses are typically but not always ignored. **Penalties are applied at the rate of $210 per every 28 days past the due date.** These fines are applied retrospectively when the return is finally lodged. **Can I do anything about an ATO fine?** You can [phone the ATO](https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/About-us/Contact-us/Phone-us/) to [request a remission](https://www.ato.gov.au/general/interest-and-penalties/penalties/failure-to-lodge-on-time-penalty/#Requestingremission) in full or in part if there are extenuating circumstances such as natural disaster or serious illness. **What about interest charged by the ATO?** Once your return, with an amount payable, has been lodged with the ATO (either on time or late) this gives rise to the obligation to *pay* the amount owing. *It is your responsibility to monitor and pay the ATO any amounts that may be owing. You should regard our [electronic signature request](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/e-signing-your-tax-/-bas-returns?hsLang=en) as a reminder to pay. To pay any amounts payable please refer to the ATO payment options (incl EFT Codes, BPAY) which are shown via your [tax portal (https://portal.xero.com/)](https://portal.xero.com/) when signing.* The ATO will apply the prevailing [General Interest Charge (GIC)](https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Interest-and-penalties/General-interest-charge/) (around 9% p.a.) to any unpaid tax liabilities. **More** - [Failure to lodge penalties](https://www.ato.gov.au/general/interest-and-penalties/penalties/failure-to-lodge-on-time-penalty/) \[ATO website\] - [General Interest Charge (GIC)](https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Interest-and-penalties/General-interest-charge/) \[ATO website\] - [What are the key due dates?](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/what-are-the-key-due-dates-i-need-to-be-aware-of-for-lodgement?hsLang=en) \[Standard Ledger FAQ\] - [How we prepare your IAS and BAS return](https://support.standardledger.co/knowledge/how-we-prepare-and-lodge-your-ias-/-bas?hsLang=en) \[Standard Ledger FAQ\] - 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