The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is advising it is time to lodge, as most taxpayers with simple affairs will now have their information pre-filled into their accounts.
Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson said that the ATO had completed pre-fill of over 91 million pieces of information available for individual tax returns from employers, banks, government agencies and private health insurers.
‘You’ve been patiently waiting, but now you’re good to go! Whether you lodge using a registered tax agent or lodge yourself through myTax, pre-fill information will now be available,’ Mr Thomson said.
Taxpayers should check the pre-filled data to ensure accuracy, add anything that may be missing and then include any deductions they are entitled to claim.
To help keep your personal information safe and protected, the ATO’s app now has powerful new safety features designed to give users real-time control over their tax affairs through alerts and instant account locking to help stop fraudsters in their tracks.
The ATO app and ATO online services through myGov also allow taxpayers to see the progress of their return once they or their registered tax agent have submitted it.
‘Most refunds are finalised within two weeks and this process cannot be sped up, even if you call us,’ Mr Thomson said.
Taxpayers have until 31 October to lodge their tax return. www.ato.gov.au