Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.
Simply put – no you don’t. We refer to this as a ‘drop-off’ job.
Following is an outline of our process this tax season:
Firstly, visit Tax Return Registration page to register to have your tax return completed by us.
Once you have successfully registered you will be sent the link to our annual engagement proposal. This new electronic form is intended to streamline our processes and obtain your approval to act as your tax agent this year. It also provides a transparent costing of our services, so you have an estimate of costs up front. At this point you can opt for no appointment.
When you have signed and submitted the form, your job will be created for the accountant and our team will be in touch with you via email with request for further documentation. Please promptly reply to requests for information.
You will then receive your return to approve and sign.
When the signed documents are received the accountant will lodge your return.
Then it’s in the ATO’s hands!
Their standard processing time for refunds is 14 business days. Each year the ATO will hold back a random selection of returns to complete manual calculations and ensure their internal systems are working. If we receive notice your return has been held up we will advise you immediately and keep a track of the 14 days. If the return has not been processed by then we will follow up with the ATO regularly until they have completed it.
For information regarding the documents you may need to organise to enable us to complete your tax return, please click here.
If you would like to make a tax return appointment, see our revised process here: How do I book an appointment?
We have a different process this year for both booking appointments and dropping off documents for this tax season:
Firstly, visit Tax Return Registration to register to have your tax return completed by us.
Once you have successfully registered you will be sent the link to our annual engagement proposal. This new electronic form is intended to streamline our processes and obtain your approval to act as your tax agent this year. It also provides a transparent costing of our services, so you have an estimate of costs up front.
As you near the end of the online engagement form process you will be provided with a link to the accountant’s appointment calendar to choose a time and date that suits you.
You will receive a confirmation of your booking details. Please bring proof of identity to your appointment as your accountant will need to sight it according to ATO requirements.
When your tax return appointment is completed and signed off by you, the accountant will lodge your return.
Then it’s in the ATO’s hands!
Their standard processing time for refunds is 14 business days. Each year the ATO will hold back a random selection of returns to complete manual calculations and ensure their internal systems are working. If we receive notice your return has been held up we will advise you immediately and keep a track of the 14 days. If the return has not been processed by then we will follow up with the ATO regularly until they have completed it.
For information regarding the documents you may need to organise prior your appointment, please click here.
The ATO’s service commitment for processing returns is usually up to 14 business days. If the ATO’s information differs from the tax return information, any refund will likely take longer to receive.
Each year, the ATO will randomly select a sample of returns to perform manual calculations and ensure their systems pick up all the correct information. This is not an audit. In these instances, it can take up to 30 calendar days. If your return is randomly selected, we will notify you that your refund will be delayed.
We cannot take any follow-up action until the 30 calendar days have passed. Once the 30-day timeline has passed, we can call to chase up the status of your return. If we receive the notification that your return has been completed prior to the 30 days, we will follow our usual process to get your refund to you as soon as it is transferred to us.
The ATO is not processing any returns in the first half of July, so even though we understand you are eager to get your return done and your refund in your bank, you will still have a wait if you register early in July.
Other possible delays will be if you are on Centrelink payments or have Private Health Insurance (PHI) cover. Centrelink does not typically provide its information to the ATO before mid-July.
Private Health Insurance providers send out their statements at different times throughout July and sometimes even into the following months. If you have cover, we cannot complete your return without your PHI statement. This means if you register early to get it done, you will still have a wait for your refund.
We highly recommend waiting until you have all documents required for your return before registering to have your tax returned prepared, so we can make the process as smooth as possible.
For a comprehensive guide on what to bring to your appointment see: Preparing for Your Tax Return.
Our calendar is open Thursday, 11th July. If you are ‘Tax Ready’ and have all your necessary documents in order, you’re welcome to register to have your tax return prepared by us!
Click here to register.
What you need to bring to your appointment with your tax agent depends on your circumstances. Do you have a straightforward return, or do you own property and investments? Do you run a business?
Please click on this link for a comprehensive list of items your agent may require to prepare your tax return: Preparing for Your Tax Return.
If you are an employee of one or more employers who submit your income information to the ATO on your behalf and you only have some simple deductions to claim, then that would require a simple tax return.
People who only receive government payments (age pension, youth allowance, etc) will also generally require a simple tax return.
Things get a little more complicated when you have:
If any of these apply, then more work is required by your accountant and therefore it will not be considered as a simple tax return.
If there are extensive work-related deductions, these too will push the preparation of a tax return beyond what is a simple tax return.
Can’t find the answer you are looking for? Feel free to contact our office.