2.2 million people lodged their tax return themselves last year by e-tax and that number is increasing.

Australian tax return tips

This year we can expect, on average, a tax return increase of more than $300 based on goverment grants and reductions.

"It’s gone up quite considerably, we reckon last year people got about two thousand dollars, so to be getting $2,300 as a return this year is obviously a big increase,"

See if you qualify for Education Tax Refund for families with kids in school.The type of expenses you can claim include computers, internet, even repairs to computers."

You can claim up to $375 for children in primary school and up to $750 for children in secondary school.

This benefit applies to most parents earning less than $120,000 a year. It’s those earning seven figure salaries that the tax office has set its sights on.

Australian Tax Office Are targeting executives, directors and wealthy Australians this year.

In the past the ATO have only looked at wealthy Australians that had a net worth over $30m. This year the ATO are now able to go down to people with a net wealth of only $5m.

Nearly 12 million of us will lodge a tax return, the tax office will then hand back nearly $20b. It sounds like a lot but with wages being frozen and unemployment set to rise, it might be a while before we have that much cash coming in again.

what look out for  while lodging your tax returns ?

improperly stating income from rental properties; also from dividends, shares, interest and work related costs which shouldn’t be claimed, like clothing.

 

Do check to see if you qualify for claiming on your union fees.

"The Australian Tax Office this week sent out 600,000 letters to mostly rental property owners because they got things wrong like borrowing costs, repairs and maintenance, interest on their mortgages and also in relation to capital works deductions as well," .

Those most likely to be audited by the taxman will be truck drivers, sales and marketing executives and electricians.

When it comes to doing your tax return yourself or hiring a professional remember that accountants’ fees are tax deductible. Also keep in mind that 98% of audited returns done by individuals need some kind of adjustment – almost always down.