In its crusade against what they call the cash economy’, the ATO has announced plans to collect the details of all individuals and businesses that have purchased or acquired a vehicle where the transfer and/or market value is $10,000 or greater in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 financial year. This involves computerised “motor vehicle data matching” […]
The Etax Blog: Tax Tips
New carbon tax had no effect on inflation
Private analysts TD Securities-Melbourne Institute’s inflation gauge rose 0.6 per cent during August. But, according to their head of Asia Pacific business, Annette Beacher, this was not due to the introduction of the Carbon Tax. A few goods and services increased in price during August which contributed to the 0.6% increase, however there were also […]
27 Valuable Investment Property Tax Deductions
By including rental property expenses on your tax return you access an incredible range of possible tax deductions that boost your tax refund and leave more rental income in your pocket. It’s important to stay on top of your investment property taxes and claim deductions correctly to maximise your tax refund (without getting into hot […]
How to claim tax deductible donations
When you give money to a charity, your gift is often a tax deductible donation Like many Australians, you might have a charity or cause that’s close to your heart. Tax deductible donations are a great way to give your tax refund a boost, while contributing to a worthy cause you care about. It really […]
Capital gains tax: Does it apply to you?
What is capital gains tax? Capital gains tax (CGT) is the tax you pay on profits you make from the sale of a capital asset such as real estate or shares. A capital gain is when you sell a capital asset for more than you originally paid for it. You are required to pay tax on […]
Overseas Forces Tax Exemptions – Do They Apply To Me?
Are you a member of the Australian Defence Force who served overseas during the past tax year? If your deployment meets certain criteria you may qualify for one of the overseas forces tax exemptions on your income. In this post we’ll discuss the two overseas forces tax exemptions available to overseas forces and how to work […]
Retail Worker Tax Deductions: What can you claim? (With Case Studies)
Putting the spotlight on tax deductions for retail staff Retail employees like sales assistants, store managers, suppliers and buyers often ask us what tax deductions for retail they should claim on their annual tax return. If you work in a retail shop, there are a lot of tax deductions you might be able to claim. Many […]
Top 3 Missed Tax Deductions
A great way to increase your annual tax refund is to claim tax deductions. People often ask us what tax deductions people often miss out on, so here is a quick list that might help boost your tax refund this year. Avoid these 3 commonly missed tax deductions… 1. Claim Union and Registration Fees Do […]
Don’t Be Afraid of the ATO at Tax Time
At the National Press Club, ATO commissioner Chris Jordan spoke about a change in tactics at the ATO, with a greater focus on work related deduction claims by individuals, representing $22 billion worth of claims made each year. He said a substantial portion of those claims are ‘mistakes’ or ‘fraud,’ although he did not discuss […]
Tax Guide For Couples: How does having a spouse affect your taxes?
This tax guide for couples helps you determine whether you need to include your partner’s information on your next tax return. Read on to learn what you should tell the ATO this year… Who the ATO defines as a spouse for tax purposes is a common cause of confusion. Once you’re familiar with the definitions, […]
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 […]
The Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO) is Over – What Does it Mean for You?
We all enjoy an extra boost in our tax refund. Most recently, the low and middle income tax offset (LMITO) has helped boost refunds for millions of Aussie workers. The government introduced LMITO in the 2018-19 tax year and increased in value in 2021-22 with an additional “cost of living tax offset”. Unfortunately, the end […]
Claiming laptop on tax – what you need to know…
Many of us work after hours at home or spend a portion of our week working from home. Quite often you might use our own equipment for this, especially if you don’t have a work laptop or removing it from the office poses a security risk. If this is this case for you, it’s likely you […]
The Backpacker Tax: What You Need to Know When Working and Holidaying in Australia
If you are taking an extended holiday in Australia, working at the same time is a popular way to see everything the country has to offer. Many thousands of backpackers and holiday-makers do it every year, so you’re not alone. But while backpacking across Australia has been popular for decades, Australia’s tax rules have recently […]
How long does a tax return take? Your guide to getting your tax refund with Etax
OK, so your tax return is finished and has been lodged by Etax to the ATO. Now you’re wondering how long it will take until you receive your hard-earned tax refund, right? We know waiting for your tax refund is frustrating, and chances are it’s already on its way. However, it’s important to bear in […]
