Made a tax mistake? Coming forward early can reduce penalties
If you realise income was left out, a deduction was wrong or GST was not reported correctly, telling the tax office yourself – before they contact you – is called a voluntary disclosure. It usually means much lower penalties.
✔ Registered tax agent✔ Confidential✔ In person or online, Australia-wide
Why come forward?
- Penalties are usually reduced a lot if you disclose before the tax office tells you it is looking at your affairs
- Small mistakes may attract no penalty at all
- It shows good faith and can help in future dealings
- It stops interest building up any longer
Common things people disclose
💵 Missed income
Cash jobs, side income, overseas income or rent.
🧾 Wrong deductions
Claims that were too high or not allowed.
🧮 GST errors
Wrong GST on BAS, or not registered when you should have been.
👥 Employer issues
Missed super, PAYG withholding or fringe benefits.
📈 Capital gains
Shares, crypto or property sales left out.
🌏 Overseas assets
Foreign income or assets not reported.
How it works
- Confidential review. We look at what happened and the years involved.
- Work out the correct figures. Including deductions and credits you are entitled to.
- Make the disclosure. Usually by amending returns or BAS, with a short explanation.
- Deal with the bill. We can help arrange a payment plan if needed.
Timing matters: once the tax office has told you about an audit or review, the reduction is smaller. Acting early is best.
⚠️ 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. Penalty reductions are decided by the tax office and depend on your circumstances. If a matter may involve fraud or criminal issues, you should get legal advice first. 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.
Confidential help with a voluntary disclosure
Free consultation and a fixed-fee quote before we start.
0466 268 405Frequently asked questions
What is a voluntary disclosure?
It is when you tell the tax office about a mistake in your tax affairs before they find it, usually by amending returns or BAS.
Will I still get a penalty?
Possibly, but penalties are usually much lower when you come forward before the tax office contacts you. Some small mistakes attract no penalty.
Is it confidential?
Our discussions with you are confidential. The disclosure itself is made to the tax office.
What if the tax office has already contacted me?
You can still disclose, and it may still help, but the reduction is usually smaller.
Related
General information current as at November 2026.