Templates & checklists
Free Australian tax templates, ATO letters, and operational checklists. Each page explains when to use it and what to fill in — no email capture, no signup.
- ABN Cancellation Checklist
Checklist for cancelling an ABN when you stop carrying on a business or enterprise. Covers the full wind-down sequence: lodge all outstanding BAS and income tax returns, cancel GST registration, finalise PAYG withholding and STP, cancel any other registrations (FBT, PAYG instalments, WET, LCT), and notify the Australian Business Register. ABN cancellation is separate from GST deregistration; both must be done explicitly.
- Activity Statement Amendment Request Template
Template for requesting an amendment to a previously lodged Business Activity Statement (BAS) or Instalment Activity Statement (IAS). Covers corrections to GST reporting (labels 1A, 1B, G1-G20), PAYG instalment amounts or rates, PAYG withholding, and FBT instalments. Amendments within the revision period (generally two years for GST, four years for income tax credits) can be lodged online, by phone, or in writing.
- ATO Objection Letter (Part IVC TAA 1953)
Template letter for lodging a formal objection to an ATO assessment under Part IVC of the Taxation Administration Act 1953. Covers your details, the assessment being objected to, specific grounds with statutory references, and a supporting documents enclosure list. Must be lodged within two years for individuals (four years for certain entities) of the assessment notice date.
- ATO Payment Plan Request Letter
Template letter for requesting a formal payment plan from the ATO when you cannot pay a tax debt in full by the due date. Covers debt identification, proposed instalment schedule, income and expenses summary, and hardship circumstances. The ATO can set up plans online for debts under AUD 200,000 for individuals or AUD 200,000 for businesses with up-to-date lodgements; larger or more complex debts require written or phone negotiation.
- ATO Private Ruling Application Checklist and Template
Checklist and template for preparing a private ruling application to the ATO under Division 357 of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953. A private ruling binds the ATO to the ruling position provided you disclosed all material facts. The ATO's practice statement PS LA 2021/2 sets out what the application must contain, including a clear question, a complete statement of facts, and your own view of the correct answer.
- Australian Tax Deadlines Calendar FY2025-26
Complete FY2025-26 Australian tax deadline calendar for sole traders, Pty Ltd companies, and employers. Covers quarterly BAS lodgement and payment dates, annual income tax return due dates (self-lodgers and tax agent managed), super guarantee quarterly due dates, FBT return, STP finalisation, and Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR). Available as a printable PDF and an ICS calendar file you can import into Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar.
- End of Financial Year Checklist (Sole Traders and Pty Ltd Companies)
End of financial year checklist for sole traders and Pty Ltd companies, covering everything to action before 30 June and in the weeks immediately after. Includes stocktake, superannuation contribution timing (must be received by the fund by 30 June to be deductible), instant asset write-off for eligible assets, prepaid expenses, bad debt write-off, income deferral or acceleration, and records archiving. The 30 June cut-off is absolute for most deductions.
- GST Voluntary Deregistration Template and Checklist
Template and checklist for voluntarily cancelling your GST registration when your GST turnover falls below the registration threshold of AUD 75,000 (AUD 150,000 for non-profit bodies). Covers the Division 129 adjustment calculation on retained assets, final BAS lodgement, and the ATO deregistration process. Deregistration is not automatic when turnover drops; you must apply.
- Motor Vehicle Logbook (12-Week ATO Method)
Printable 12-week logbook template for the ATO logbook method of claiming motor vehicle expenses. The logbook must cover a continuous 12-week period and is valid for five years provided your business use percentage does not change significantly. Records each trip with date, odometer start/end, destination, purpose (business or private), and kilometres driven. The business-use percentage from the logbook is applied to total car expenses for the income year.
- Quarterly BAS Preparation Checklist
Quarterly BAS preparation checklist for sole traders and small businesses. Walks through bank feed reconciliation, GST coding review, PAYG withholding verification, PAYG instalment amount or rate check, and lodgement by the deadline. Quarterly BAS is due 28 days after the end of the quarter (except Q2, which is due 28 February). Electronic lodgement through a registered tax agent gets an additional two weeks for most quarters.