Let’s compare myTax and other tax return options: What’s the best one for you?
The ATO advertises a tax “product” called myTax – another way to self-prepare your tax return.
As a taxpayer it is hard to know what to do. What is the best tax return and what are the alternatives?
Let’s compare the most popular tax return options including the ATO’s myTax…
Etax
- Do your tax return online in minutes
- See your deductions from last year, so you won’t forget
- Stuck? No problem – we’re always ready to help on live chat and phone (with a real accountant who’s on your side)
- Deduction tips (based on your job) help to boost your refund
- Tax returns for all taxpayers, from students, to your 1st job, to high income executives
- Less reading: Choose the bits you need and hide the bits you don’t need
- Your tax return is checked by accountants before lodgement
- Get friendly help with ATO audits, ATO letters or amended returns
- You can feel confident that your taxes were checked and done right
- The low fees are tax deductible
ATO myTax
- You have to register all your personal details on the Government’s myGov website before you start myTax
- Hard to be confident you’ve done it right, difficult to know if you’re missing out on tax deductions
- Limited support, no help from people who are on your side
- Saving on tax agent fees by using ‘free’ ATO tools like myTax could mean you get a smaller tax refund. (And tax agent fees are tax deductible anyway.)
- No checking by an accountant – make a mistake and you’re on your own with ATO auditors
- If you have to lodge an amendment to fix a mistake, you will need a tax agent
- ATO audit or troubles? If you used myTax, you are on your own
- The ATO’s real job is to collect more tax (more about that down below)
Old-Fashioned Tax Agent’s Office
- An office appointment and travel could take 1 hour or more
- Must take all of your tax info and papers with you… let’s hope you don’t leave something at home
- You get advice when you’re there, but typically little or no support after you leave
- You might not get advice directly from a qualified accountant
- Cost of visiting a Tax Agent office can be expensive; advertised prices are low, yet the average amount you pay may be much higher
Who uses a tax agent service? Most Australians do
In fact, 74% of returns are lodged with a tax agent.
It seems pretty clear that the ATO hopes more people will use myTax. How does the ATO promote that message?
Over the years, the ATO spends taxpayer dollars, on “market research” plus advertising and PR agencies. They pay money to get articles into your favourite newspaper, created by media agencies and paid for by you. They also pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to agencies that gather “likes” on social media. All of this is detailed in the ATO’s annual report. They even put curriculum into schools where kids do assignments about myTax.
The ATO keeps repeating the message, that people should use myTax.
That’s funny, because the fact is, most Australians prefer to use a tax agent like Etax.
People use a tax agent service because…
- Confidence your return is done right
- A tax agent is looking out for your interests, helping you avoid ATO trouble and trying to improve your tax refund
- The ATO’s rules are so complex that only an expert has time to take it all in
- Using an agent is easier and faster than worrying about it yourself
- It is affordable, just one mistake avoided can pay for itself, and the fees are tax-deductible
- NEW: You can use a mobile app to save receipts and documents to your Etax account, so you will remember to claim at tax time
The ATO’s main job is to collect tax money – not to give it back
If you paid for work-related expenses that could get you a better refund, with the ATO you’re on your own. The ATO’s job is not to help you to boost your tax refund or help you with tax advice before you lodge your return.
Across Australia, more than 20,000 ATO employees work every day to enforce 5,743 pages of tax rules. Their job is to collect more tax revenue and to enforce tax laws. The ATO releases new warnings almost every month, about new “compliance priorities” and new triggers that can cause an audit on your taxes.
But helping you get a fair go is a tax agent’s job. That’s why most Australians use a tax agent – and it’s why most of us ignore ATO ads telling us to self-prepare our taxes on myTax.
Who do you trust when you do your taxes?
Using a tax agent like Etax.com.au means you get all the online convenience, plus you’ll have the confidence in knowing your return was done right and that you’ve got the best possible refund.
Wouldn’t you rather think about how to spend your refund, and leave the tax homework to an expert?
At Etax.com.au, we think we’ve got a pretty good service, but don’t just take it from us! Here are some results of our client survey:
Australia’s Canstar Blue awarded Etax the “Most Satisfied Customers” Award for Tax Agents in 2018
Reviews of Etax
Thousands of Etax clients post their ratings and reviews and it is truly rewarding for all of our people at Etax. We collect feedback and ideas from users, then get to work on improving every year. Thanks everyone for your feedback, ideas and support.
Too easy!
Easy to use, easy to follow, excellent service! Have used this service a number of times and it’s great. I don’t need to look anything up it’s all there for me.
-Jules in Tasmania, from ProductReview, July 2019
Thank you to a great team of people who deliver the best service.
I have been doing my tax return with Etax Accountants since 2010, the process is simple and the guidelines easy to follow. Communication is efficient and prompt, very helpful and the service is amazing.
-Pamela, from Google Reviews, July 2019
Easiest Tax Return Ever!
Easiest tax return I’ve ever done. Incredibly simple, step by step process that helps you get the maximum return you are fairly entitled to. I’ll be using this system every year from now on!
-Griffinlay99, from ProductReview, July 2019
Easy to complete with excellent support
I have used Etax on a number of occasions over the years, Simple, Easy. I will never use another agent again. Very happy with the support and accountants are very helpful and thorough.
-L.Bonaddio in NT, from ProductReview, July 2019
I’ve been using Etax for my last 6 returns!
The website is easy to use and they have a fantastic team to help and support you if required. There is a fantastic refund estimate tool that updates in real time which I love. They are quick, easy and hassle free. Highly recommended
-Ness76Adam P., from Google Reviews, July 2018
Perfect
Etax made my tax return very easy and I would be very happy to recommend them to anyone who is looking for an affordable and easy way to do their return I certainly will keep on using them as long as I need to.
-Joseph C. in Victoria, from Product Review, July 2018
Easy, fast, efficient
Easy to understand, fast and efficient, second year using etax and will continue to use in the future would recommend etax to anyone wanting a painless easy to use experience.
-Todd in Queensland, from Product Review, July 2019
Tax Return
I’ve done my tax refund in literally seconds, amazed. The actual process step by step is very easy to use nothing complicated. Thank you very much for your service. I will definitely use it next year.
-Lorenzo in NSW, from Product Review, July 2019
Such an easy service
…and very happy with my returns for the past few years! Be hard to go elsewhere now!
-Malcolm S., from Facebook, July 2018
I’ve been using Etax for nearly ten years…
and doing tax returns has never been so easy. Literally just a few minutes of your time and you’re done. Previous form data is saved allowing you to automatically have previous details entered if you’re short on time. I highly recommend this company, you won’t be disappointed.
-Calder P., from Google Reviews, July 2019
