Taxpayers can start lodging their tax returns

With millions of pieces of information now pre-filled (including information from most banks, employers, government agencies and private health insurers), the ATO is giving taxpayers with simple affairs the 'green light' to lodge their tax returns.

Taxpayers who plan to claim deductions this year should make sure they have the correct records, and, in most cases, "a bank or credit card statement (on its own) isn’t enough evidence to support a work-related deduction claim – you’ll need your receipts".

The ATO reminds taxpayers that the rules regarding how and when they can claim a deduction can change, including in relation to car expenses and working from home costs. Therefore, they should not just 'copy and paste' their deductions from last year, and they may require assistance from their accountant in this regard.

The ATO notes that taxpayers using a registered tax agent normally have more time to lodge.

The tax agent lodgement program is staggered and may differ depending on the entity and previous years lodgement history, so please contact our office if you are unsure of your lodgement due date.