Interest and penalty tax

Late or non-payment of duties and taxes may result in interest being charged on the outstanding amount.  Further information about interest is available in Revenue Circular GEN009.4.

The following table lists the interest type and rates for overdue debts, deferred debts and refunds administered by the ACT Revenue Office.

1 January 2025 to 30 June 2025

Overdue debts for Duty Return taxes First Home Owner Grant Utilities (Network) Facilities Tax Energy Industry Levy	Simple daily interest - 12.42%
Overdue debts for Rates Land tax Foreign Ownership Surcharge Land Rent Police, Fire & Emergency Services Levy City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy Safer Families Levy	Compound monthly interest - 12.42% eg. 16 March to 15 April
Deferred Lease Variation Charge	Compound monthly interest – 6.22% eg. 16 March to 15 April
Deferred rates	Simple daily interest - 4.42%
Deferred duty	Simple daily interest - 4.42%
Refunds from over-payments (interest may apply)	Simple daily interest - 4.42%

1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024

Overdue debts for Duty Return taxes First Home Owner Grant Utilities (Network) Facilities Tax Energy Industry Levy	Simple daily interest - 12.36%
Overdue debts for Rates Land tax Foreign Ownership Surcharge Land Rent Police, Fire & Emergency Services Levy City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy Safer Families Levy	Compound monthly interest - 12.36% eg. 16 March to 15 April
Deferred Lease Variation Charge	Compound monthly interest – 6.16% eg. 16 March to 15 April
Deferred rates	Simple daily interest - 4.36%
Deferred duty	Simple daily interest - 4.36%
Refunds from over-payments (interest may apply)	Simple daily interest - 4.36%

1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024

Overdue debts for Duty Return taxes First Home Owner Grant Utilities (Network) Facilities Tax Energy Industry Levy	Simple daily interest - 12.38%
Overdue debts for Rates Land tax Foreign Ownership Surcharge Land Rent Police, Fire & Emergency Services Levy City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy Safer Families Levy	Compound monthly interest - 12.38% eg. 16 March to 15 April
Deferred Lease Variation Charge	Compound monthly interest – 6.18% eg. 16 March to 15 April
Deferred rates	Simple daily interest - 4.38%
Deferred duty	Simple daily interest - 4.38%
Refunds from over-payments (interest may apply)	Simple daily interest - 4.38%

Historical interest rates

For information on historical interest rates please click here.

Penalty tax

Penalty tax is imposed where a taxpayer fails to meet certain obligations.  This includes the underpayment, late payment or failure to pay tax.

The penalty tax rate imposed ranges from 25 per cent to 90 per cent of the tax payable depending on the level of culpability.

Penalty tax may be reduced if you make a voluntary disclosure before the commencement of an investigation.  We encourage you to voluntarily disclose any discrepancies you discover.  If you obstruct or hinder an investigation, penalty tax may be increased.

Additional information on penalties can be found:

• Revenue Circular GEN006.3 - Penalty Tax;  and
• Revenue Circular FHOG001.1 - First Home Owner Grant Offences Penalties and Interest