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Read more…Tax return checklist: All the documents you need to lodge your tax return
As well as the basics like your Tax File Number and income details, here's a list of other things you need to have ready when lodging your tax return.
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Use our checklist and make sure you aren't forgetting anything that could you cost you money or land you in trouble with the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Here's a snapshot of what the checklist will include:
1. The basics: This includes your Tax File Number (TFN) and income statement among other things
2. Your earnings: This includes your annual payment summaries, ump sum payments received, investment income and other earnings
3. Deductions. Details of work-related expenses you wish to claim, receipts and and capital losses
Now let's go into more detail on each of these points.
Tax return checklist
Here we've compiled a tax return checklist of some pre-return information you might need to get together:
Basics
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- Bank details: BSB, account number, account holder name, bank name
- For medical expenses you will also need your medicare number
- Details of children
- Last year's Income Tax Assessment
Earnings
- Payment summaries (PAYG) from any places where you have received an income
- Information on any lump-sum payments you may have received, potentially through termination payments, Centrelink. Personal injury payouts do not need to be reported if they occurred outside and unrelated to your workplace
- Details on foreign earnings
- Any interest received from banks or building societies
- Statements of dividends received or invested
- Statements on earnings from managed funds
- Any other income gained, i.e. from properties or investments
- If you have a spouse you will need details on their earnings and expenses
Deductions
- Receipts for gifts and donations
- Receipts for work-related expenses including transport (mileage), uniforms, technology necessary for your work
- If self-employed, contributions to superannuation
- Details about your income protection insurance
- Costs for managing tax calculations, i.e. tax agents
- Medical receipts
- Details of any capital losses you wish to offset
- Super contributions you wish to claim as a deduction
Did you know the cost of managing your taxes is deductible? This means if you pay to use a tax agent, you can claim their fee on your tax return the following year.
Choosing a tax agent
*This is the minimum fee charged for income item tax returns. The price listed on this table is subject to terms and conditions. To find out more or to receive an accurate quote for your tax return, please visit the agent's website to submit an enquiry.
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Yes indeed, tax returns are tedious. But perhaps you have been squirrelling away your receipts all year, and can combine these with the docs mentioned in our tax return checklist above to make it a breezy, stress-easy affair.
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Read more…DISCLAIMER: Many of the comments in this article are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information applicability to their own particular circumstances.
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