Stitch

Hi folks,

Well been here a year now but still can't get my head around all this tax stuff. Anyone shed any light on this...what do you do etc?

Cheers

Ginny

andrew63

I agree.
Just go to an accountant. They charge about $80 and it is tax deductible. They do everything for you.

Andrew

Stitch

Thanks Andrew....Now Accountant recommendations ummm

Cheers

Ginny

ex Tassiemum

You can go online and do your tax return in Australia. If your tax claim is straight forward, ie..you are getting a salary and thats it, then its easy and self explanatory to lodge your own return this way. But if you are self employed, have investments, etc. then I would go with an accountant no questions asked. Here is the link for the ATO (Australian tax office) that explains the online tax to you.

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/pa...11#001_002_006

My husband and I used to go to an Accountant every year but when we both had regular jobs working for a salary it made more sense and saved us money by lodging it ourselves. The online tax really is very easy to use. Cheers

Stitch

Thanks very much for this.

Cheers

Ginny

biggy

have too agree...the online tax is a doddle and very easy to use and the helpline is very good also

auspal

The online tax is a doddle I agree, but you have to know what you can and cannot claim for. A good accountant can usually get you a lot better refund
(legally) and their fee is tax deductable for next year, which will usually pay for itself in the larger refund. Ask around workmates for a good local recommendation.

bridie

We use an accountant, I just picked one I see everytime I drive into town!

Worth the money ($99 each) as they knew loads of stuff to claim for which we wouldnt have had a clue about, plus cant stand doing accounts and tax stuff so would rather just hand it over and have someone else work it all out.

andrew63

Too right!
It's a small price to pay.
I do have a few "things" going on and tend to get nice rebates each year! I tried doing my teenage daughters part-time work on-line and found it confusing! She can claim allowances for clothes she wears for work etc and shouldn't pay super.
At least go to an accountant first time and see what they can do for you!

Andrew

Nomore

Be careful who you chose though.

We got recommended an accountant. We used him and thought he was good. He claimed back $3000 all in all for us. But..............he was useless when it came to getting in touch with him, so much so we ended up leaving him and getting another accountant.

What the new accountant realised was that our old one was claiming things back that he shouldn't and we ended up paying back the ATO $1000.

What a cock up, not our faults, but we suffered for there mistakes.

renth

I agree, pay for an accountant, even if you have what you consider an "easy" tax return. I did mine for the first couple of years and when I eventually went to an accountant I was flabbergasted at the differnet things he was claiming for us. Definitely worth it.

Wol

Having several times said that the ATO was efficient I have to eat my words.

Mrs Wol had a letter last November telling her that the banks' interest declared on her 2004-5 return was less than that submitted by the banks (yes, they *do* check!). I explained that we arrived in September, so part of the interest was taxed at witholding rates and then by the UK: they agreed and sent a letter confirming this.

She got an identical accusation last week - same year, same numbers. Again we phoned and had to explain it all over again. Again they agreed - and we await the confirmation....

Stitch

Thanks everyone for all your help....If anyone out there in Brisbane (Bayside) knows a decent accountant then please shout.

Cheers

Ginny

BettyBoop

Just dont use H R BLOCK.

They advised me I would get a 2-300 dollar rebate, when in fact ATO sent me a bill for 2,500 dollars.

Nightmare!!!

themerlin

I agree, get what you pay for.