The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) remains committed to delivering dedicated support to taxpayers during this tax season.
Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh empathetically acknowledged that navigating the realm of taxes can often feel overwhelming for individuals.
Loh reassured taxpayers, stating, “The ATO is here to help with the support you need to get it right this tax time.”
Tax Help Program
One notable avenue of support is the Tax Help program, offering a free and confidential service for those with simple tax affairs and an annual income of $60,000 or less. The program’s ATO-trained volunteers are available to guide taxpayers through every step of the tax return process. This includes setting up a myGov account, navigating the myTax lodgment platform, determining if a lodgment is unnecessary, and even assisting with amendments in the case of errors. Volunteers are also equipped to help individuals locate forgotten superannuation funds.
Inclusivity is a priority, as the Tax Help program extends its assistance to First Nations people and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Support is provided in a multitude of community languages. The program operates from now until the end of October.
Tax Clinics
For those ineligible for Tax Help, the National Tax Clinic program offers aid to individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and charities. This government-funded initiative aids those who may not have the financial means to access professional tax advice.
Support for First Nations People To cater to the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the ATO offers a specialized Indigenous helpline. This helpline offers tailored assistance on a range of topics, from business operations to handling income from the gig economy, educational scholarships, government payments, and more. This service is accessible via 13 10 30 on Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, excluding public holidays.
Support for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Taxpayers Inclusivity extends to culturally and linguistically diverse taxpayers, as the ATO provides translated information in over 20 languages to aid in understanding tax and superannuation concepts in Australia. These resources are available at ato.gov.au/TaxTimeResources.
Self-Help Options
The ATO further empowers taxpayers through digital tools like myTax, the ATO app, and online services for individuals and businesses. These platforms offer the capability to address queries and conduct specific account-related actions. Additionally, the ATO Community, an online discussion platform, facilitates peer-to-peer interactions where community members can seek and share information about tax and super issues.
With more than 122,000 members participating and over 235,000 posts, Assistant Commissioner Loh encourages taxpayers to explore ATO Community for possible solutions to their inquiries.
resources are available at ato.gov.au/TaxTimeResources. ato.gov.au/TaxClinic.
More information about Tax Help is available at ato.gov.au/TaxHelp
Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
