Tax debts (ATO)

You may be able to set up a plan yourself, online or by phone, if you owe up to a set amount. Above that, for a plan longer than 2 years, or for extra support because of hardship, the ATO asks more. It asks why you can't pay and about your income, spending, bank balances and assets.

All of Australia. Checked 7 October 2026

At a glance

Documents to start: Tax file number or ABN. Some cases: questions about your finances.
How to ask: Online, or by phone
Their time to decide: No published time, so ask when you'll hear
If they say no: The ATO, then the Tax Ombudsman (free)

What to say

You can say

“I can't pay my tax debt in full and I'd like to set up a payment plan.”

How to set up a payment plan (ATO website)

Find the ATO's payment line and a letter

1.What you can ask for

If you owe up to a set amount, the ATO's payment plan page says you may be able to set up a plan yourself. You can do it through online services or the self-help phone line. The ATO's page gives the amount. You need your tax file number or ABN and the amount you owe.Their own policy

2.What they can ask you

If you owe more than that amount, or can't set up a plan online or through the self-help line, you phone the ATO's lodge and pay line. You also phone that line if you need more than 2 years to pay, need to change an existing plan, or need extra support because of significant financial hardship. The ATO will then ask for more details: why you can't pay, your bank balances and credit, your income, expenses and assets.Their own policy
It asks extra questions if it warned you of, or took, firmer or legal action in the last 6 months. It does the same if you defaulted on or cancelled 2 or more plans in the last 12 months. It also does if you're asking for extra support because of serious hardship.

If they ask for more

You could say

“Can you tell me what you need this information for? And can you send that request to me in writing, please?”

Ask for it in writing only to an email or address that no one else can see.

If they push for more than you can pay

You could say

“I can't agree to an amount I can't keep up. I'd like to talk to a financial counsellor and come back to you. Please put your offer in writing.”

It helps to offer only what you can keep up after rent, energy and food. You don't have to agree to an amount on the first call.

3.While they decide

The ATO's payment plan page gives no time for a decision, so ask when you'll hear.
Ask whether you need to keep paying and whether they'll pause a direct debit while they decide.

4.If they say no

Ask for the reason in writing.
Complain to the ATO first. If that doesn't sort out how it handled your request, the Tax Ombudsman takes complaints. It's free.

Who can help

ATO lodge and pay line
13 11 42
Tax Ombudsman
1300 448 829
National Debt Helpline
Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm phone, 9am–8pm live chat
1800 007 007 Live chat

Free financial counsellors at the National Debt Helpline explain options and coach you on what to say.
Outside the helpline's hours, if your email is private, you can email the creditor the words from ‘You can say’. You can also use its online form if it has one.

If it stays unpaid

If a tax debt stays unpaid, the ATO may take firmer action, including legal action.

If you're not safe

You're in danger right now: Call 000
It isn't safe to call your creditors, or someone else controls the account, your money or your phone: Call 1800RESPECT first1800 737 732
Counselling for family violence, including financial abuse. Free and confidential, 24/7.

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When a full statement helps

Asking to be released from a tax debt because of serious hardship needs financial statements and documents.
A free financial counsellor can help you write down your income, spending and debts.

Find a financial counsellor

Sources

Where a fact has a tag, it says what backs it. The tags mean:

Law: Applies to every creditor of that type.
Industry code: The firms that signed it must follow it.
Regulator's guideline: What the regulator requires or expects.
Guidance: What's expected, not law.
Their own policy: What they say they do.

Their own policy. ATO, Payment plans (QC106182), Updated 1 Oct 2026. Self-service route, phone route questions, extra questions after firmer action, defaulted plans or a serious-hardship request.

Checked 7 October 2026.

Someone else you owe?

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. A creditor's own policy can be more generous than the rules here.

Tax debts (ATO)

All of Australia. Checked 7 October 2026

2.What they can ask you

If you owe more than that amount, or can't set up a plan online or through the self-help line, you phone the ATO's lodge and pay line. You also phone that line if you need more than 2 years to pay, need to change an existing plan, or need extra support because of significant financial hardship. The ATO will then ask for more details: why you can't pay, your bank balances and credit, your income, expenses and assets.Their own policy
It asks extra questions if it warned you of, or took, firmer or legal action in the last 6 months. It does the same if you defaulted on or cancelled 2 or more plans in the last 12 months. It also does if you're asking for extra support because of serious hardship.

If they ask for more

You could say

“Can you tell me what you need this information for? And can you send that request to me in writing, please?”

Ask for it in writing only to an email or address that no one else can see.

If they push for more than you can pay

You could say

“I can't agree to an amount I can't keep up. I'd like to talk to a financial counsellor and come back to you. Please put your offer in writing.”

It helps to offer only what you can keep up after rent, energy and food. You don't have to agree to an amount on the first call.

4.If they say no

Ask for the reason in writing.
Complain to the ATO first. If that doesn't sort out how it handled your request, the Tax Ombudsman takes complaints. It's free.

Who can help

ATO lodge and pay line
13 11 42
Tax Ombudsman
1300 448 829
National Debt Helpline
Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm phone, 9am–8pm live chat
1800 007 007 Live chat

Free financial counsellors at the National Debt Helpline explain options and coach you on what to say.
Outside the helpline's hours, if your email is private, you can email the creditor the words from ‘You can say’. You can also use its online form if it has one.

If you're not safe

You're in danger right now

Call 000

It isn't safe to call your creditors, or someone else controls the account, your money or your phone

Call 1800RESPECT first1800 737 732

Counselling for family violence, including financial abuse. Free and confidential, 24/7.

Exit leaves this page fast. It won't clear your browser history. Esc twice does the same.

Sources

Where a fact has a tag, it says what backs it. The tags mean:

Law: Applies to every creditor of that type.
Industry code: The firms that signed it must follow it.
Regulator's guideline: What the regulator requires or expects.
Guidance: What's expected, not law.
Their own policy: What they say they do.

Their own policy. ATO, Payment plans (QC106182), Updated 1 Oct 2026. Self-service route, phone route questions, extra questions after firmer action, defaulted plans or a serious-hardship request.

Checked 7 October 2026.