The Australian Taxation Office has updated general and shortfall interest charge rates for the first quarter of the 2026-27 income year.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced the general interest charge (GIC) rates and shortfall interest charge (SIC) rates for the fourth quarter of the 2026-27 income year on 5 June 2026.
For the quarter commencing on 1 July 2026, the GIC annual rate is set at 11.43%, and the SIC annual rate is set at 7.43%.
| Quarter | GIC annual rate | SIC annual rate |
| July – September 2026 | 11.43% | 7.43% |
| April – June 2026 | 10.96% | 6.96% |
The GIC applies if a tax amount or other liability remains unpaid beyond its due date. This includes tax shortfalls from amendments or corrections, underestimating tax instalments, or late lodgment of returns. The GIC rates are updated quarterly, with new rates announced about two weeks before each quarter begins.
If a tax return is amended, resulting in a shortfall, the SIC is applied instead of the GIC, as taxpayers are typically unaware of the shortfall until they receive the amended assessment.
The rates have increased compared with the annual rates applicable for the previous quarter beginning 1 April 2026, which were 10.96% for GIC and 6.96% for SIC, respectively.