Finally got round this morning to thinking about getting this sorted, we haven't been able to do it online as we own a MAC computer and it is not compatible with that. Just dowloaded the forms only to notice they should be in by 31st October -WHOOPS!! What should I do??

Are you using a tax agent or doing it yourself. If using a tax agent, then they have their own tax return lodgement dates.

If you're doing it yourself, send it in as soon as possible. the following info may be of some use.


What penalties will you be charged if you don’t lodge your tax return on time?
Penalties are imposed on a case–by-case basis and depend on your lodgment history, amount of tax payable and when your tax return is lodged. We cannot tell you whether a penalty will be applied, or the amount, before you lodge your tax return.

However, our policy is not to apply a penalty if your tax return:

is lodged voluntarily, and
does not result in any tax payable.
If your tax return results in you having to pay money to the Tax Office and you don't pay on time, we may impose general interest charges starting from the date the payment was due.

If you disagree with the imposition of penalties or general interest charge, refer to Objections, amendments and reviews essentials.

Make sure you are due a rebate, to avoid any late fines !!

If they owe you, you are OK, but if not.... $$$$

Just a thought, I wonder if you can claim the cost of a 'proper' computer, to enable you to do the tax return

If you are expecting a refund then don't worry about it. We did our first 3 years' returns all at once last year and because we were getting money back there was no dramas.

The tax break for computers is ending soon (according to our tax agent) so if he wants to buy a real one now would be the time.

.... but would they (the ATO) allow the computer rebate for home use?

Just went to buy a laptop as I downloaded the forms and thought they were a complete nightmare, is the E-tax compatible with Windows 7, could not see it on the ATO website

If you have school aged children then you can claim it as an educational expense.

I'd call them and explain the problem. I technically filed late by 7 months the year before last (because of a problem with accountants) and they just sent me a letter saying I was late and that they would let me off this time.

I too need to do my taxes to pay for school fees and new school uniforms and xmas...

What is putting me off is that i have had 4 jobs in that tax year, one of the jobs was working from home so have alot of deductions to claim - some of those deductions im not sure if i would be better claiming on the educational tax refund or on my deductions or whether i could claim half on the ed tax ref and the other half on my ded..... its such a headache... i have a bag of receipts and need to prinnt off my phone internet invoices its such a hassle but I guess it will b worth it in the end.

I think that ABC is suggesting that if you have to have a Windows based computer to complete your tax return with, because they only offer the Etax software as Windows compatible, then surely you could claim the cost of an additional Windows computer because it was necessary to complete your tax return...

I can't fault his logic. I use Linux/Unix at home, so can't use Etax either, as it's not compatible. Maybe I should buy a spangly new Windows machine just to do my tax with, and claim it on next year's return...


S

Gonna bite the bullet and buy a laptop, I can claim back for educational expenses as am a teacher and have school aged children. Also our eldest wants one for xmas so will buy one now, use it (in secret) and them give it him for xmas.

Just to say the education 50% back if you buy education items for school kids.
*This is only available to PR people.

Temp visa dont qualify. My ENS should be granted soon, so Im planning on a couple of new computers after Christmas and claiming 50% on the kids education.

Gems

Why not just get windows and install it on bootcamp assuming the mac is new enough. That's what I did Windows 7 ultimate on bootcamp. ETax complains on install but it works without any problems.