Yahoo Finance ATO offering free tax help for these Aussies
Eligible Aussies can get a helping hand this tax time.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is reminding taxpayers there is help available this tax time.
Aussie taxpayers have until October 31 to lodge their tax returns, or engage a professional tax agent.
Here’s what dedicated support is available.
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Tax Help
The ATO’s free Tax Help program is available for people earning $60,000 or less each year who have simple tax affairs.
From July to October each year, the ATO’s accredited volunteers will help eligible people lodge their tax returns online.
“Our ATO-trained volunteers are there to walk you through all stages of your tax return – from creating a myGov account, to navigating lodging through myTax, letting us know if you don’t need to lodge, and even how to lodge an amendment if you’ve made a mistake,” ATO assistant commissioner Tim Loh said.
“They can also help you find any superannuation you may have forgotten you had.”
Tax Clinics
People who are not eligible for Tax Help, may still be able to access assistance from the National Tax Clinic program.
This is a government-funded initiative to help those who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs.
It is run by universities across the country and operates independently from the ATO.
Indigenous Helpline
The ATO’s Indigenous Helpline provides specialised tax and super assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Helpline is available on 13 10 30 Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm, excluding public holidays.
Helpline staff can answer questions on topics, including for those who run a business, have a second job, receive income from the gig economy, receive an education scholarship or bursary or receive a government payment.
“We want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to feel confident in managing their tax and super affairs and know that they can come to us for assistance at any time of the year,” Loh said.
“If you have a registered tax agent or BAS agent, we can work with them to manage your affairs.”
Other resources
For culturally and linguistically diverse taxpayers, the ATO also has resources and guides available in more than 20 languages.
The ATO also provides digital tools, including myTax, the ATO app and online services, which can be used for a range of queries.
“The other great resource worth checking out is ATO Community – our online peer-to-peer discussion platform that allows members of the community to ask and share information about tax and super issues with other community members. With more than 122,000 members involved and over 235,000 posts, it’s likely your query has already been answered,” Loh said.
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