Got an ATO letter about income you did not declare?
The tax office receives data from banks, employers, platforms and others, and matches it against tax returns. If something does not match, you may get a letter asking you to explain or fix it.
✔ Registered tax agent✔ Confidential✔ In person or online, Australia-wide
Reply by the date in the letter. Ignoring it can lead to an amended assessment with penalties. Call 0466 268 405.
Where the tax office gets its data
🏦 Banks
Interest and account information.
💼 Employers
Wages and income statements.
🚗 Platforms
Ride-share, short-stay and other sharing economy platforms.
📈 Investments
Shares, dividends, managed funds and crypto exchanges.
🏠 Property
Sales, purchases and rental bonds.
🌏 Overseas
Information shared by other countries.
What to do
- Check the letter. Which year, which income and the reply date.
- Check your records. Was it really missed, or is the data wrong or already included somewhere else?
- If it was missed: amend the return and include any deductions you are entitled to.
- If it is wrong: reply with evidence.
- Reply on time. Ask for more time if you need it.
Penalties
If tax was underpaid, there may be interest and a penalty. Penalties depend on the reason – for example a genuine mistake is treated very differently from deliberately hiding income. Coming forward early and being honest usually means much lower penalties.
How UV TAX can help
- Check what the tax office is asking about
- Find any deductions or credits that offset the extra income
- Prepare amendments or a reply with evidence
- Ask for penalty relief where there are good reasons
⚠️ General information only – not tax or legal advice. UV TAX is a registered tax agent, not a law firm, and cannot give legal advice. Where legal advice is needed we will tell you so you can speak with a lawyer. Penalties and outcomes are decided by the tax office. This page is a simple overview as at November 2026 and does not consider your personal circumstances. Laws, rates and thresholds change, and outcomes are decided by the tax office or the courts – UV TAX cannot guarantee any result. Please get advice for your situation before acting.
Got a letter? Let us check it
Free consultation and a fixed-fee quote before we start.
0466 268 405Frequently asked questions
How does the tax office know about my income?
It receives data from banks, employers, platforms, share registries, crypto exchanges, property records and overseas tax authorities.
What if the tax office data is wrong?
Reply with evidence that shows why it is wrong. We can help you prepare it.
Will I get a penalty?
Possibly. It depends on why the income was missed. Honest mistakes and coming forward early usually mean lower or no penalties.
Can I amend my return myself?
Yes, but we can check the whole return so you also claim deductions you are entitled to.
What if I can't reply by the date?
Ask for an extension before the date. We can do this for you.
Related
General information current as at November 2026.