Approximately one-third of Australians own shares held directly in their name. It’s really quite common, and many of them receive dividends on those shares. But when it comes to how dividends are taxed, it can suddenly seem very confusing. What are the tax benefits of fully franked dividends and franking credits? Think back to the […]
Tax Advice
Tax Advice: 2025 Tax Return | Increase Your Tax Refund | Tax Deductions | Medicare and Health Insurance | Tax Rebates
Work at home parent – the ultimate balancing act
How do you build your business when you’re a work at home parent and your adorable darlings are doing their utmost to distract you with death defying leaps, or throwing tantrums that could literally wake the dead? The ultimate guide to finding a work/life balance for work at home parents OK, so you were never […]
Salary Sacrifice and Tax: The Basics
Salary sacrifice arrangements, also known as salary packaging, can be a smart way to get ahead, but it can also get confusing. Essentially, salary sacrificing means you use a portion of your pre-tax income in exchange for certain benefits or items. And, as you use your pre-tax income, you pay less tax overall. Many employers […]
Game of Thrones + a Tax Return?
Etax users are posting about how they did their Etax return during a favourite show, during a lunch break… Are you eagerly waiting for the next episode of Game of Thrones to start? You could finish your tax return before the next battle scene. Last week one Etax client shared his experience using Etax.com.au for his […]
Work-Related Car Expenses:
Can I Claim My Car Expenses Without a Logbook?
Important Note: This method of claiming car costs as a tax deduction was discontinued by the ATO as of the financial year 2015-16. Late tax returns lodged for 2015 and earlier tax years are still able to use this method. Have you used your car for work this year, but forgot car expenses to keep […]
How To Claim The Car Logbook Method (Free Car Logbook Template)
The car logbook method is a good way to track your car expenses and claim them on your tax return (to increase your tax refund). But, you need to keep a car logbook. If you use your car for work purposes, the ATO will let you make a claim on your tax return for some car-related […]
What’s A Good Superannuation Strategy For Me?
(With links to superannuation strategy how-to guides from Money Magazine and CANSTAR) Whether you’re in your 20’s now, or almost ready to retire: A good superannuation strategy can make the difference between a comfortable retirement and a financial struggle. The Government continues to make changes to how you receive the aged pension in retirement, therefore, […]
What is STP or Single Touch Payroll?
What is Single Touch Payroll? Single Touch Payroll (STP) makes payroll reporting far easier for employers. Instead of juggling a raft of paperwork, your boss reports payroll details including super payments, to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) on or before each pay day. New payroll software now looks after that. Each time your pay is […]
Uber tax issues: A tax guide for Uber drivers
Uber has taken Australia by storm as a great way to earn additional income. But there may be serious Uber tax problems ahead unless you do things the right way. Uber is a unique, flexible opportunity to earn a side income for almost anyone with a good car. But there are important things to consider […]
Being made redundant could re-ignite your career: Redundancy tips from a careers expert
Being made redundant is often a tough thing to overcome. Yet, an amazing two per cent of Australian workers experience it every year! We spoke to Australian career advice expert Russell Johnson, a career planning veteran with CEO-level experience in Australia and the US, to get a fresh perspective on being made redundant. Russell also […]
Reporting Your Foreign Employment Income
If you’ve earned foreign employment income this year, find out how to report it correctly on your tax return. Are you an Australian resident for tax purposes and work overseas? If yes, you must report all your overseas income in your Australian tax return. This includes both your assessable and exempt income – even if […]
We’ve Made Your Tax Return Even Easier
Here at Etax, we know you have better things to do than your taxes, so we want to help you get them done FAST! We listened to your feedback – and we’ve given you just that – a way to do our tax return even faster! Use the ‘Any Other Questions’ section in our tax […]
How to survive the lock-down. Your guide to turning it into a positive
With all the social distancing and lock-down measures in place, how do you keep your mind occupied and engaged? For some people, being at home is bliss. For others, it’s hard to stay focused on anything. But time at home can be a valuable chance to reflect, connect and plan for the future. There are […]
How to check your HELP debt balance
Your HELP debt often seems like a heavy weight around your neck, especially when your uni days seem like a lifetime ago and you’re keen to take your next step in life. You keep throwing money at it but unless you’re an avid spreadsheet Ninja, like Mandy in our accounts department, you often have no […]
Corporate Tax Avoidance and Tax Gaps: What is it costing Australia?
A common theme in ATO messages this year has been that big businesses are generally doing the right thing. They’re lodging income tax returns accurately and paying the correct amount of tax. Interestingly, corporate tax avoidance is absent from their narrative. Instead, concerns focus on individual taxpayers who over claim deductions. However, the recently published […]
