ATO announces programs to help taxpayers get their returns right

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced it will host pop-up shops around Australia and run a separate Tax Help program to ensure taxpayers get their returns right.

“These two programs help thousands each year to get it right at tax time. Staff at our pop-up shops can explain the benefits of going digital, while our Tax Help program helps those on low incomes with simple tax affairs, to do their return, which is especially important,” assistant commissioner Karen Foat said.

ATO’s pop-up shops will provide face-to-face advice, guidance and support to taxpayers at community hubs, libraries, shopping centres, shows and universities around the country from 28 June to 17 October.

“We are visiting sites around the country to support members of the community who may be unsure of how to use our digital services,” Ms Foat said.

“We want everyone to feel confident using our online products and services, regardless of whether you use an agent or lodge your own return.”

The pop-up shops will demonstrate the ATO’s online lodgment tool, myTax, and its smartphone app’s myDeductions tool. Taxpayers will also be able to link their myGov account to the ATO, find lost super, lodge tax returns, apply for a tax file number and track the progress of their return.

The Tax Help program will feature around 800 ATO-trained and accredited volunteers at more than 600 locations across in metropolitan, rural and regional areas of Australia from July to October.

These volunteers will help taxpayers with simple tax affairs, who are earning under $60,000, to lodge their tax returns.

“Last year alone, we helped over 30,000 people lodge their taxes. Since 1988, the Tax Help service has helped more than 1.5 million Australians with their tax returns,” Ms Foat said.

The ATO advised that if you’re eligible for Tax Help, you will need to make an appointment by phoning 13 28 61 or visiting your nearest Tax Help centre.