Our website and app have simplified tax time, says ATO

The Australian Taxation Office is encouraging people to file their tax returns online, claiming the process is easier and faster than ever before.

ATO tax commissioner Chris Jordan said that it generally takes half an hour for people to lodge their return through the myTax platform.

“We have developed a suite of online services that have made it easier than ever before to get your tax return done, and now we have most pre-fill records such as wages, bank interest and dividends ready for taxpayers and agents to use,” he said.

“This means most of the work is done for you. Your information can be accessed via myTax or can be uploaded by your agent. All you need to do is review the pre-filled information and add any deductions, it’s that easy.”

More Australians filing returns online

Mr Jordan said that 2017 was likely to be a record year for lodgment numbers.

“We’ve received almost five million returns already this year, which is an increase of 360,000 on this time last year,” he said.

“Almost two million Australians have completed their returns themselves using myTax, up 13 per cent from last year.

“So whether you lodge your own return or use an agent, the numbers show that it’s easier and faster than ever before to get your tax done – which also means getting your refund back even faster.”

Mr Jordan said the ATO had already issued 3.6 million refunds worth a total of almost $8.5 billion.

More than 96 per cent received their refunds within 12 days, he added.

App makes it easier to claim deductions

The ATO has developed an app that makes it easy for people to manage their tax and superannuation affairs on the go, according to Mr Jordan.

“One of the best features of the app is our myDeductions tool which allows you to take a photo of receipts using your smartphone, and store them in one convenient spot,” he said.

“You can then share your records directly with your agent or upload your deductions directly to your tax return.”

Mr Jordan said the app means people don’t have to miss out on deductions because of faded or lost receipts.

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