Applying for a write off

You may be able to apply to write off your fine if you are not suitable for a Work and Development Order (WDO) and you can’t afford to pay your overdue fine due to medical, personal or financial hardship. 

This section covers:

What is a write off? 

Depending on your circumstances, Revenue NSW may write off an overdue fine. You will need to provide details of your financial circumstances and explain why you are not suitable to do a WDO.  

Revenue NSW can reverse the write off and resume enforcement action within five years of writing the fine off, if:

• you receive a new overdue fine after the write off has been approved
• your circumstances improve and Revenue NSW believes you can pay, enforcement action against you could be successful, or you are able to do community service.

Revenue NSW can also reverse the write off if you give false information in your application. 

Who is eligible to apply?

You may be eligible to apply for a write off if you have:  

• a medical condition, long term illness, severe injury or disability
• a supervised mental health treatment under a community treatment order
• an alcohol dependency or serious addiction to drugs
• been unemployed for a long period of time
• family or carer responsibilities
• serious financial stress where you can't meet daily living expenses or loan repayments.

You can't apply for a write off just because you think you are not guilty, or that the fine is too much. You can only apply for a write off if you can’t afford to pay the fine, or do a WDO because of your medical, personal or financial circumstances.

It is a good idea to get help from a free financial counsellor or a lawyer to speak to Revenue NSW on your behalf. 

For more information, see Advocates.

How to apply for a write off

You can apply for a write off online or by sending an application by post or email.

To apply online, see Write Off Application on the Revenue NSW website.

To apply for a write off, you will need to complete a Declaration of your circumstances form and write a letter explaining your circumstances. You will also need to send supporting information about your situation.

If you need help with applying, you can also authorise someone else to apply on your behalf. This can be a family member, relative, or friend.

There is no fee to apply for a write off.

You or your advocate should call Revenue NSW and ask them to put your fine on hold while you apply for a write off. This will stop any enforcement action against you while Revenue NSW makes a decision about your application.

To apply by post or email, see Step by step guide: Applying for a write off.