The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is encouraging taxpayers to take advantage of the range of support services available to them during tax time.
“The ATO’s priority is assisting taxpayers to get their lodgments right the first time, and we have programs and services available to assist you,” said ATO assistant commissioner Rob Thomson.
ATO’s available services include the following:
- Tax Help: A free and confidential service that has helped eligible individuals with simple tax affairs lodge their tax return for more than 35 years. Tax Help volunteers can also assist with creating a MyGov account, lodging an amendment to tax returns, claiming a refund of franking credits, and informing the ATO if there is no need to lodge a tax return. The ATO said the income eligibility criteria have been increased to support those earning $70,000 or less per year, up from $60,000 last year.
- National Tax Clinic: A government-funded initiative that supports eligible individuals, including small businesses, who are unable to access tax advice and assistance. Tax clinics operate independently through various Tafe and university campuses located in every Australian state and territory, and many clinics offer phone, web conferencing and face-to-face services.
- Indigenous helpline: Available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the helpline provides specialised tax and super assistance, such as getting a tax file number, lodging tax returns, finding superannuation, or locating nearby Tax Help centres. The Indigenous Helpline is available on 13 10 30, Monday – Friday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm (excluding public holidays).
- Multilingual information: Tax and superannuation information, including tax time resources, is available in over 20 languages to help people better understand tax and superannuation in their preferred language.
- Digital tools: Self-help tools are available for taxpayers to find tax help easily and quickly, with a range of online services available for individuals and businesses. The ATO app, MyTax and ATO Community are also helpful in managing tax affairs online, without needing to call the ATO.
Other reminders
ATO is reminding taxpayers to consult a registered tax agent for help in lodging their tax returns. To check if a tax agent is registered, taxpayers are advised to check the Tax Practitioners Board’s Public Register.
The ATO also reiterated that its Charter outlines the agency’s relationship with the taxpayers, which is based on mutual trust and respect.
“The Charter explains our commitments to all taxpayers, including fair and reasonable treatment, professional service, support and assistance where required, the security of their data and privacy and being transparent and accountable in our interactions with the community,” said Thomson.
