Overdue BAS or Tax Returns? We’ll help you catch up fast.

Get your outstanding lodgements sorted with expert help from registered tax agents. Once you’re up to date, we’ll help you understand your tax debt and put a plan in place with the ATO.

Getting Back on Track Starts With Your Lodgements

If your BAS or tax returns are overdue, it can be hard to know what you actually owe and what to do next. We help you catch up your outstanding lodgements first, then work through any tax debt, penalties or ATO payment plan options once the numbers are clear.

What is Tax Debt?

Tax debt occurs when you owe money to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). This typically comes from unpaid Business Activity Statements (BAS), income tax assessments, PAYG withholding obligations, or other tax liabilities.

What makes tax debt serious is that it doesn't stay static. The ATO adds penalties on top of your original debt, and interest compounds daily. What started as $50,000 can quickly become $70,000 or more, depending on how long it remains unpaid.

The good news? Tax debt is negotiable. The ATO understands that businesses face cash flow challenges, and they'd rather work with you on a payment arrangement than take enforcement action. That's where we come in - we handle the negotiation so you can focus on your business.

Why Lawpath

Why Businesses Come to Us When They’ve Fallen Behind

Catch up overdue lodgements

We prepare and lodge outstanding BAS and tax returns so you can get back into the system properly.

Understand what you actually owe

Once your lodgements are up to date, we help you see the real tax debt position clearly.

Build a practical plan

Once your lodgements are up to date, we help you see the real tax debt position clearly.

Ongoing support

Stay on top of future BAS, returns and compliance so you do not fall behind again.

What we help with

Overdue Lodgements

Get outstanding BAS and Income Taxes prepared and lodged correctly.

Multi-Year Catch-Up Work

Behind by more than one year? We can help work through the backlog step by step.

Tax Debt Support

Once your lodgements are finalised, we help you understand the debt and next options.

ATO Payment Plan Guidance

Support with structuring a manageable path forward after lodgement

Ready to get started?

Book a free consultation and get a complete plan - your debt, your returns, your books - all mapped out with clear steps and honest timelines. No cost. No obligation. No judgement.

Walk away with a clear plan - guaranteed. It's yours to keep even if you don't become a client.​

How We Help You Get Back on Track

STEP 1

Tell Us What’s Overdue

We review your BAS, tax returns and ATO situation.

STEP 2

We Catch Up Your Lodgements

We prepare and lodge what is outstanding.

STEP 3

We Sort the Debt Position

Once lodged, we help you understand what is owed and what to do next.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can, but having a registered tax agent negotiate on your behalf typically leads to better outcomes. They know what the ATO will accept and how to present your financial position. Lawpath’s accountants can handle ATO negotiations for you – so you don’t have to go it alone.

 

If you don’t engage with them, yes – the ATO can escalate to garnishee orders, director penalty notices, or winding-up proceedings. The good news is that acting early gives you far more options. Speak with a Lawpath accountant to understand your position and get ahead of it.

 

In many cases, yes. The ATO can remit penalties and interest charges where there are extenuating circumstances. A Lawpath accountant can assess your situation, build a case for remission, and handle the application on your behalf.

 

A Director Penalty Notice (DPN) is the ATO’s way of making company directors personally liable for unpaid company tax debts – specifically PAYG withholding, super guarantee, and GST. If your company hasn’t met these obligations, the ATO can issue a DPN to recover the debt from you personally. Acting quickly is critical, as the options available to you depend on how overdue the lodgements are.

 

It depends on the complexity of your situation. A straightforward payment plan can be set up within days. Resolving larger debts, penalty remission applications, or responding to a DPN can take weeks to months. The sooner you get professional advice, the faster the process moves, and the more options you’ll have available.

 

Get Help With Your Tax Debt Today

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