Preparation of Tax Returns

What is the charge for preparation of tax returns?
The fee for tax return preparation depends upon the complexity of income and deductions involved. The fee for most “I” return is between $100 to $150 paid at the time the return are completed. Additional charge of $25 applies if the payment is made via deduction from refunds, cheque or credit card or direct debit in our account. That fee is tax deductible in the year paid.

Can fees be taken from my refund?
Yes, where a client is getting a refund we may allow a deduction from the ATO refund. There are factors (like HEC’s debt, Child Support Payments, other debts to ATO and Centerlink etc) taken into account before your offer of fee deduction is accepted.

What happens if we have not made suitable arrangements for the payment of fee at the start?
We will generally not lodge a tax return until arrangements for the payment of our fees have been made. We may pursue the fees if it remains unpaid regardless of whether the return has been lodged.

Would you retain my documents if fee remain unpaid after the services have been rendered?
Yes, we may choose to retain all your documents until the fee has been paid in full. We may also take legal action of other measures to recover our fee.

What are your office hours?
We are generally available between 9.00am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00 pm on Saturday for returns to be done in the office. These hours apply from July to September only after that normal business hours apply. We provide after hours, weekend and home visits where pre- arrangements have been made. For this service an additional fee of $25.00 per trip/site applies.

Do you provide mobile tax return service?
Yes, we provide services to complete returns on individual and employer premises. These can be during normal or after hours, however times need to be booked. For this service an additional fee of $25.00 per trip/site applies.

Can you prepare multiple years returns at the same time?
Yes, a number of year’s tax returns can be done at the same time, however, the older returns may need to be lodged in paper and there may be some delays in assessment by the ATO.

What do I do if I do not have all the documents?
We encourage you to check all supporting documents before booking appointments. Please refer to the checklist on this website. Copies of important documents like group certificates can be obtained from the employer. It is an offence to claim deductions for expenses that cannot be substantiated.

On what basis do you prepare the tax return?
We use the information, documentation and advice given to us by you to prepare your tax return. Our role is to take reasonable care in preparing the return. We are not responsible for auditing and/or verifying your evidence. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to keep evidence of all claims. Severe penalties exist in the tax legislation for false and/or misleading claims.

How long will it take to get my refund?
Australian Tax Office (ATO) processes majority of the returns within 14 working days. Delays may be possible where the ATO may match the data with Centrelink and other organisations.

What do I do if the refund is not received within 14 days?
Please allow an extra week before following up the status of your return with us.

What expenses can I claim deductions for?
Generally, deductions for expenses are allowed where they are incurred in the earning the income. However, some expenses are deemed private expenses and specifically not deductible eg. Travel between home and work. To see what deductions are allowed for your occupation, please refer to the links to occupational rulings.

What income is taxable?
Generally, all income earned from personal exertion, allowances received from employer, interest earned & dividends received from investments, certain capital gains are assessable income. It is not possible to comprehensively discuss this here. If you have any doubts whether income that you have received is assessable, please contact us of visit the ATO website.

I have a negatively geared investment property. What documents do I need to complete my tax return?
We have provided some guidance on this site. Link also has been provided to the ATO ruling on investment properties.

What do I do if my specific question has not been answered here?
The Australian Taxation Legislation comprises some 70,000 pages. It is not possible to do justice to the subject here. Please contact us using the contact link. We will endeavour to return your communication as soon as possible.

Tax professionals the experts in preparation of tax returns.