The federal government announced in the 2026–27 Budget a new tax offset called the Working Australians Tax Offset, or WATO. It will be a permanent annual tax offset of up to $250 for Australians who earn an income from their job.
Saving Money: How to save a million dollars – plus how to save money faster
How Can I be Great at Saving Money? To save money, you don’t need to make huge changes to your lifestyle. You don’t have to somehow find a job earning 5 times your current salary. What you need is to simply make the decision and commit to saving some money, however much or little that may be. […]
Etax Fees: How much does a tax return cost at Etax.com.au?
Here’s everything you need to know about the low Etax fees and why Etax is Australia’s favourite online tax agent. Why is there a tax agent fee at Etax? Etax is a registered Australian tax agent that offers you: Etax is like visiting an old-fashioned tax accountant – but all online, fast and easy, anytime that’s […]
Top 5 ATO Audit Red Flags in 2026
Key Takeaways: What Is an ATO Audit and How Does It Work? An ATO audit happens when the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) takes a closer look at your tax return. It can involve anything from a quick request for receipts to a full review of your finances. The ATO reviews millions of returns every year […]
The $1000 Instant Tax Deduction: What It Really Means for Your Tax Refund
Sometimes called the ‘$1000 automatic tax deduction’, this new $1000 Instant Tax Deduction is coming in 2027. Here’s the short version: First mentioned in the lead-up to the April 2025 federal election, the Government announced a “$1000 instant tax deduction” and also confirmed it in their 2026 Federal Budget in May. NEW 2026 Budget Update: […]
Stage 3 Tax Cuts explained – what do they mean for you?
Stage 3 Tax Cuts in a snapshot Stage 3 tax cuts were adjusted from 1 July 2024, aiming to give a bit of a tax break to lower and middle income earners, compared to earlier tax changes that favoured workers already enjoying large salaries. Compared to the original tax cuts, the new changes help low […]
myGov vs Etax vs tax agent: which is best for your Australian tax return?
“What’s the best way to do my tax return?” Choosing between myGov, Etax, and a traditional tax agent comes down to how much support you want, how complex your situation is, and how large a refund you’re after. This guide compares all three so you can decide with confidence which option is best for you. […]
Claiming Home Office Expenses
The ATO changed how you claim home office expenses moving forward Before we get into the details, don’t stress – at Etax we’ll help get it right for you. Some of the changes to work-from-home claims are complicated, but, Etax will automatically calculate which deduction method gives you the biggest refund, so you don’t have […]
ATO Data Matching – What is it and will it affect me?
You may have heard that ATO data matching technology is now being used in Australia. The ATO launched the system to find missing income from individual tax returns. It’s a new, more sophisticated way to collect more tax from taxpayers who may, either accidentally or deliberately, understate their income. What is ATO Data Matching? ATO […]
Investment property tax deductions under the ATO spotlight
Australian investment property owners may be on a collision-course with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) in 2025, over incorrect claiming of tax deductions. Along with the rising cost of living and borrowing rates in Australia, the estimated 1.7 million people who own a rental property will also have their investment property tax deductions put under […]
Tax Bracket Creep in Australia: What Is Bracket Creep, And How Does It Affect You?
Bracket creep is a situation in Australia where inflation and wage increases push more and more people into higher tax brackets. The result is that income tax takes more and more of people’s earnings, even though the Government did not formally raise tax rates. Let’s dig into the concept of bracket creep, its impact on […]
Tax Information for People Affected by Natural Disasters
Natural disasters take an incredible toll emotionally, physically and financially. In times like this, it’s vital to know your entitlements and where you can go for help. If a natural disaster has affected you or a loved one, please read our guide below for assistance. Need more time to lodge, pay or respond to the […]
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS): your guide to buying your first home sooner
If you’re someone who’s been saving for a first home deposit, then there’s one scheme you should know about. It’s called the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). The point of the scheme is to help people of all ages get into their first homes sooner. It was introduced by the Australian Government in the […]
Can’t work due to COVID? What help is available?
What do you do if you can’t work due to COVID? With self-isolation rules relaxing, the Government is no longer providing the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. Instead, the High-Risk-Setting Pandemic Payment has taken its place but is not available to everyone. Luckily there is some help out there to help you stay afloat if you […]
Government Tax Cuts Extended
The 2022 Budget threw in a few perks for businesses but the one that around 10 million taxpayers will appreciate, is the decision to increase the tax offset for low and middle income earners. The Low and Middle Income Tax Offset, often referred to as the LMITO, has been increased for the 2021-2022 income year […]
