E-Tax Claiming Tax Back Online or (other)

[Boxertony]

I thought I would start a thread regarding claiming your income tax back from the Australian Taxation Office. I am aware that there has been many new migrants who have emmigrated here within the past year and will need help and assistance regarding claiming back the tax. I am one of them. I have downloaded the E-tax download via the folling site: Download and use e-tax 2010

I am going to attempt to claim back my tax via the online E-tax. I have also been told that we could go to H&R Block and pay a tax person to complete it for about $100 or gain your own private accountant to complete it for various prices from $110 to $200.

Any advice is very much appreciated...............

[Andrew Williams]

I think you have understood your options already Tony, although some Accountants won't even charge as much as that if your affairs are very straight forward.

If you have only paid tax on your employment via the PAYG system and do not really have much in the way of deductions then maybe the E-tax could be the way to go, however if there are other sources of income and/or you feel that you may have a fair few items you would like to claim for it would probably be best to go to an Accountant.

I would suggest that people use an Accountant the first couple of times anyway as there may be things that can be claimed for but not be aware of. A good Accountant will point these out.


Regards


Andy

[nikkinoodlesuk]

we used an accountant last year (first time) and they were great and advised us on what can be claimed. PLus accountancy fees are tax deductable for following year, so may aswell use them...

[lorluc]

I think if your employment is pretty straight forward...and you know what you are able to claim back as expenses (well documented on the ATO webiste)...then pretty straightforward to do yourself...HOWEVER...easy for me to say as i work in accounts, deal with tax issues, payroll etc...so i know what to look for etc..

BUT...if you are unsure, the cost of an accountant/tax specialist etc is pretty minimal, so might be worth it.

Take some time to read through the expenses section of the ATO website, they also have expenses information that are relevant to different occupations...i.e. hospitality...my husband is a chef, so i always make sure i read through that for any updates...

Personally, if i had no knowlege of these things...i would find it quite daunting...

Remember though, wait for the payment summary from your employer..and if you have done different jobs within the financial year, you will need payment summaries from all. I think by law, the payment summaries have to be sent to employees by mid july...

[Rachiegarlo]

I always use E-tax, it's straightforward and quick. If you are entitled to money back then you can have it paid into your bank account. At each point there are notes you can click on to explain what you can and can't claim for and the proof you will need.

[katsmajic]

We used HRBlock at Seaford for our first ones and she was fantastic - and as we can claim the fee back on the following year used her again and again fantastic - shes slightly mad IMO but friendly as and really helpful.
We'll be using her again - if theres something to claim for she knows it! I claim for any cook books/magazines/Master Chef stuff/drinks mags and even coffee catch ups with friends...how unreal is that!?

[kangomik]

It's a bit daunting but dooable. Done them on my own in the past but may need an accountant this year.

[caoimhe]

Personally I think for the 1st time its worth getting someone to do it as you learn what sort of things you can claim for. I done ours last year but I had just completed a H&R Block tax course so knew what I was doing and had all the reference books to fall back on if needed. You probably could do it yourself but some of the offsets or deductions may not be clear so you may not claim for all you are entitled to so if you get an Accountant to do it then jot down all the relevant deductions and do it yourself next year.

[Mark Xpnsit]

Alot of the personal tax allowance categories are based on your occupation - depending on what you do for work the hardest thing might be working out which category you fit in to. the ATO have published some occupation ruling guides which specifiy what you can claim for - laundry, uniforms, travel, equipment etc.

You'll be suprised at some of the areas you are entitled to claim and its worth knowing what you are entitled to even if you go to an accountant so you can make sure you keep relevant records during the year and can check what your accountant does.

Here's a link to the ATO website occupation guides

Hope that helps a bit

Cheers

Mark

[lynsteve]

just done mine via a accountant, $125, done dusted until next year, 32 minutes. So easy no headaches etc etc, especially with the internet, medical, and schooling fees.

stevo