ATO Services
ATO Objection & Appeals
If you disagree with an ATO assessment, you have the right to lodge a formal objection. Acting within the 60-day window is critical — missing the deadline may forfeit your right to challenge the decision entirely.
⚠ You generally have 60 days from the date of the ATO assessment to lodge an objection. Extensions are possible but not guaranteed — act now.
Does This Sound Like You?
Common situations we help with.
You've received an ATO assessment you think is wrong
The ATO has assessed you for more tax than you believe you owe. The figures are incorrect, deductions have been disallowed, or income has been attributed to you that shouldn't be. You want to dispute it but don't know where to start.
The 60-day deadline is approaching
You only have a limited window to object to an ATO assessment — generally 60 days. Your deadline is coming up and you haven't lodged yet. Missing it may permanently forfeit your right to challenge the decision.
The ATO disallowed your objection
You lodged an objection and the ATO has disallowed it. You still believe the assessment is wrong and want to know whether to take it to the AAT or Federal Court — and what your realistic chances are.
You lodged an objection yourself but it didn't go well
You tried to handle the objection without legal help. The ATO rejected it and the reasons given suggest your grounds weren't clearly stated or legally sound. You want proper representation for the next stage.
You're being chased for a debt while disputing the assessment
The ATO is pursuing the debt even though you believe the underlying assessment is wrong. Interest is accumulating and you're getting payment demands. You need to understand your options to pause enforcement while the dispute is resolved.
You want to object but aren't sure you have grounds
You've received an ATO assessment and suspect it's wrong but aren't confident you can articulate why. Before deciding whether to object, you want a lawyer to review the assessment and tell you honestly whether there are viable grounds.
How It Works
Challenge the ATO assessment — the right way.
Describe the assessment you are disputing and when it was issued. A tax lawyer will review the grounds available, prepare the objection, and represent you if the matter proceeds to the AAT or Federal Court.
Submit Your ATO Objection RequestSubmit your request
Provide details of the ATO assessment, the amount in dispute, and the date it was issued. Mention any prior correspondence with the ATO.
Grounds are assessed
A tax lawyer reviews the assessment to identify all available objection grounds and the strength of each argument.
Objection is prepared and lodged
The objection is drafted and lodged with the ATO within the required timeframe. If disallowed, AAT or Federal Court appeal options are explained.
60 Days
Standard window to lodge an ATO objection — missing it may forfeit your right to dispute the assessment entirely
All 8 States
ATO objection and appeals specialists matched across every Australian state and territory
Free
Initial consultation — understand your grounds and your realistic chances before committing to anything
Many Settled
A significant proportion of ATO objections and AAT appeals resolve before a final hearing — often with a reduction in the amount assessed
Before You Object
Practical questions about the ATO objection process.
What happens if I miss the 60-day objection deadline? +
You can apply to the ATO for an extension of time to lodge a late objection, but the ATO has a discretion to refuse. The further beyond the deadline you are, the harder it becomes. If the ATO refuses, you may lose your right to challenge the assessment altogether — making early action critical.
Can I add new grounds to my objection after it is lodged? +
Generally no — the grounds stated in the objection define the scope of the dispute. If you miss a ground in your original objection, you may not be able to raise it later at the AAT or Federal Court. This is why getting the grounds right from the start, with legal help, is so important.
Does lodging an objection stop the ATO from collecting the debt? +
No — an objection does not automatically pause debt recovery. The ATO can still pursue payment while the objection is under consideration. You can request a hold on collection action, but this is discretionary. Interest continues to accrue on the disputed amount throughout the process.
What is the difference between the AAT and the Federal Court for tax appeals? +
The AAT is a merits review — it can substitute its own decision for the ATO's and is generally less formal and less expensive than the Federal Court. The Federal Court reviews questions of law. Most disputes go to the AAT first. The AAT also offers a conciliation process where many cases settle before a formal hearing.
How long does the ATO take to decide an objection? +
The ATO has a statutory timeframe of 60 days for income tax objections (and other timeframes for other taxes). If it does not decide within this period, you may treat the objection as disallowed and proceed to the AAT. Complex matters often take longer in practice, and delays are common.
Can I negotiate with the ATO instead of going through a formal objection? +
Yes — informal negotiation or a voluntary amendment request is sometimes an option, particularly for smaller amounts or clear errors. However, this should not replace a formal objection where the deadline is running, as it does not pause the objection timeframe. A lawyer can advise on the best approach for your specific situation.
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