You can access free help from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to lodge your tax return, via its Tax Help program. Here's how it works and how to access support.
The Tax Help program is a free service provided by the ATO designed to help people complete their tax return. Tax Help is a community of volunteers who provide expertise and advice for those trying to complete their tax returns themselves. The volunteers don’t actually work for the ATO, but are given full training and support.
Tax Help is designed especially to help people on low incomes (less than $60,000 for the year) or people who would describe themselves as:
| Response | |
|---|---|
| No | 77.66% |
| Yes | 17.62% |
| I don't know | 4.72% |
The main way that the program can help you is by helping you lodge your tax return correctly and by the due date. The volunteers can also help you with the following:
Here's what the free program doesn't help you with.
The program is only really able to help those filling out straightforward returns, so if you're filing on behalf of a business, trust or corporation, if your return has many complications, they may refer you to a professional tax service.
The volunteers at Tax Help are based across Australia and are available to help you lodge your return online during tax season (that's July to October).
You can speak to a Tax Help volunteer either online, by phone or in person at Tax Help centres across Australia.
To book an appointment you can call the Tax Help program on 13 28 61 (select option 3, then option 2).
If you're not eligible for the free Tax Help program but you want some help with your tax return, a professional tax agent or tax accountant can help you. Unlike the Tax Help program it's not free to use a tax agent, however there are many benefits to doing it. The fee to use a tax agent is around the $100 mark (give or take a bit and could save you lots of money compared to doing it yourself.
A tax agent will be able to help you claim everything you're entitled to, and also make sure you're doing everything correctly and by the due date. Plus, you can claim the cost of using a tax agent as a tax deduction.
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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if i have to pay extra tax payg if i put extra money in super will it stop me from paing extra tax
Hi Jamie,
If you make a payment into your super, you’ll pay 15% tax on that contribution (up to $27,500 per financial year).
If your normal tax rate is higher than this, then yes, you’ll pay less tax by contributing to your super.
Hope this helps!
If you have a capital gain, do you have to add your old age pension to taxable income too?
Hi Viviene,
Yes, you need to declare your full income to the ATO, including any capital gain and any money received via government payments.
Hi ,
If someone works in a jewelry shop and is required to wear jewelry by the employer, can she claim it in her tax return? there is no uniform.
thanks
Chatu
Hi Chatu, we recommend you speak to a licensed tax accountant for personal tax advice.
i am 73 on DSP I withdraw my super lum sum on 5 oct 2022 amount 93716.85 do i need to pay tax on this amount
Hi, your super is generally able to be access tax free after you’ve retired. However, I’d suggest speaking with a tax accountant or financial advisor who can provide personal advice on your tax situation.
ATO Income Tax Return Online Program will not offset Cost of Sales against Net Income in calculating Taxable Income. Why?
Hi Patrick,
You may want to get in touch with ATO directly and learn more about the issue you’re having.
Regards,
Alison