Here’s the most common question people ask us every year: “How can I get a bigger refund and pay less tax?” Getting a bigger tax refund isn’t about finding loopholes. With a little organisation and the right help, it’s about knowing what you’re already entitled to claim. These four simple tips will help you make […]
The Etax Blog: Tax Tips
A Simple Guide To Tax Deductions in Australia
A tax deduction is something you paid for, out of your own pocket, that can be listed on your tax return. Deductions can help reduce your taxable income, which boosts your tax refund at tax time.
Christmas on a Budget: Festive cheer that won’t leave you broke!
It’s very easy to get swept up in the expectations of a grand Christmas but this often leads to financial stresses, both during and well after Christmas has passed. Fortunately, celebrating Christmas on a budget doesn’t need to be dull or difficult. It just takes a little planning and a little extra thought. How to […]
A Simple Guide to Understanding Depreciation
Depreciation allows Australian taxpayers to claim tax deductions for income-producing assets over $300 by spreading the cost over the asset’s effective life. Learn how depreciation works, which method to use, and how to claim it on your tax return Everything you need to know about claiming depreciation Let’s take a more detailed look at depreciation, […]
Why Is My Tax Refund So Low?
And How Do I Avoid It Happening Again?
Approximately eight out of every ten Australians who lodge a tax return receive a tax refund. But for some of us, the refund that we get isn’t quite as big as we expect.
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 […]
What can hairdressers claim on tax?
It’s common for hairdressers to pay for items like hair clippers, travel between clients and uniforms out of their own pocket without claiming them back on tax. Expenses like these are usually considered tax deductions, which means you can claim them on your tax return. But for hairdressers, there are strict rules on what is […]
What is negative gearing? How it works and whether it’s right for you
Negative gearing happens when an investment property costs more to own and run than it earns in rent. As the investor, you cover the gap between what the property costs and what it earns. The shortfall isn’t always easy to cover, but the tax benefits make negative gearing an attractive strategy for many Australian investors. […]
Reportable Superannuation Contributions – what you should know…
Superannuation is important when planning for your future. There are so many types of super contributions and payments, that it’s sometimes confusing and hard to know what each of them are. One part that people often don’t understand is reportable superannuation contributions. Let’s take a look at what you should know… What are reportable superannuation […]
Claiming the tax free threshold: What you should know…
What is the tax free threshold? The tax free threshold is the amount of income you can earn each year before you have to start paying tax. In Australia, the first $18,200 you earn between 1 July and 30 June is tax-free, regardless of which employer you earned it from. NOTE: The ATO’s definition of […]
Etax Property Investment Tax Hub
Find out which property investment expenses can claim as tax deductions. Learn about depreciation, negative gearing, Capital Gains Tax and more.
The Etax Investment Property Tax Hub has everything you need to know about owning, renting and selling an investment property.
Tax deductions for IT professionals – what you can claim
There’s no denying it, IT professionals are the unseen frontline heroes of a business. Whether you’re a developer, a support guru or a security ninja, it’s never an easy job to keep services and people working, 24/7. What is surprising is the number of available tax deductions for IT professionals. So, let’s get our IT […]
Paying GST at Settlement: What you need to know
What is GST Withholding If you buy a new residential property, or land with the intention to build a residential property and you make this purchase from a GST registered business, you need to withhold an amount for GST to pay directly to the ATO on settlement. When does the GST Residential Withholding payment apply […]
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 […]
How to defer a HELP debt during financial hardship
If you have a HELP debt and are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible to ask the ATO to defer your HELP debt for a temporary period. If the ATO accepts your request, it means that they will put a temporary hold on your repayments. What is a HELP debt? Commonly referred to as […]
