topic Re: Does anyone use etax? in Community Spirit

Does anyone use etax?

ten*teeny*tiny*toes — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 09:32:21 GMT

What's with the compulsory mygov thing? Turns out you can bypass it by typing taxhelp as the mygov username (then hit prefill). It takes you to the familiar NOA or secret questions for verification as it used to be done in previous years. Needed it for lodgement as well. I wasted a few hours today - if I can save one person I will be happy

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fourandsixpants — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 09:45:47 GMT

ref. etax Is this a generic enema or laxative product please?

Re: Does anyone use etax?

crystal**flake — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:33:23 GMT

Spend the 70 bucks and get h&r block to do it.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

imastawka — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:34:34 GMT

Yeah, you can claim their fee next year

Re: Does anyone use etax?

cherry*135 — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:38:19 GMT

Easy to do it yourself for free on etax.

The tax agents used to charge $90 around here a few years ago.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fourandsixpants — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:47:07 GMT

or ITP....found they are sometimes better than blockheads. Most of the tax agents at both are very experienced. Doing a tax return is simple....it's knowing all the 'latest' rulings - you might save yourself $70+ doing it yourself BUT you may not know about an allowable tax deduction e.g. a new $200 one for some work wear or a change to allowable deductions for something else. Paying a reputable income tax agent is well worth the few dollars IMO......in normal/straight forward/uncomplicated income tax situations all you have to give them are group certs and dockets/receipts/bank statements, your bank details and tax file number all in a 20 minute consult..... that's usually it. Sometimes they might call you and ask /check for further piece of info to be dropped in/sighted/faxed/emailed.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

imastawka — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:52:31 GMT

Hmmm. Wonder if I can claim my onesie for a uniform?

It is industrial polar fleece

Re: Does anyone use etax?

cherry*135 — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:56:52 GMT

Paying a tax agent is a waste of money for a fairly simple tax return.

Etax guides you through every allowable deduction and every other tax aspect. It is comprehensive and of course very up to date.

You just check yes or no, to everything that comes up. There is also a ? Which can be clicked on which gives info about each deuction/allowance or whatever.

Bank interest, share dividends etc is already loaded by the ATO.

Easy peasy.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

cherry*135 — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:58:52 GMT

Stawka - only if ithe onesie is compulsory uniform in your (paid) workplace and has your work logo on it. 😉

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fourandsixpants — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 16:59:17 GMT

Seems a funny way to do ones income tax ref etax IMO.....all online and easy 'peasy' for the govt to have direct access to ALL your info.....at the press of a button. Sounds like etax submissions relieves govt of all their admin work and income tax applicants might be missing out on claiming for something. Just my opinion 'tis all.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fourandsixpants — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 17:00:34 GMT

How many Govt Ministers do their tax using etax? If not, why not?

Re: Does anyone use etax?

green.fields — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 00:59:09 GMT

all online and easy 'peasy' for the govt to have direct access to ALL your info

They already have all your info.

E-tax is no problem for the average taxpayer.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fourandsixpants — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:17:43 GMT

yes but would you not agree - relieves govt of all their admin work? Has the tax dept been culled to the point where they cannot process manual income tax applications in a timely manner - one wonders

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fiestas*girl — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:27:27 GMT

As a senior tax accountant, I can assure you tax agents are NOT a waste of money

I am not going to defend my profession or answer tax related questions on this forum

you can go to h&r schlock if you want to be treated like a peice of emat on a conveyor belt or I pee T

or if you want friendly professional advice and future tax planning go and see the real professionals

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fiestas*girl — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:28:24 GMT

As for Etax, i am not a fan, i have never been able to easily navigate around that program...no kidding

give me a real tax program anyday

Re: Does anyone use etax?

fourandsixpants — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:34:42 GMT

Hope you don't think I am anti tax agents.....cos I am all for them

I know that the income tax 'rules' change all the time and you have to be in the profession and be 'on the ball' in order to be up with the latest rulings. I only agreed that ITP and blockheads were a good option because they are relatively cheap and suitable for those people who have a simple return to do but I do concede that a there are probably better tax agents out there.....like yourself. I view tax agents like lawyers and solicitors i.e. you usually get the expertise that you pay for.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

imastawka — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:36:32 GMT

@am*3 wrote:
Stawka - only if ithe onesie is compulsory uniform in your (paid) workplace and has your work logo on it. 😉

Well, I wear it in my loungroom when working on-line.

So I guess I have to have the store logo imprinted on it?

Etax is fine if you have a group certificate.

Being a seller on-line is too confusing. I can't keep up

Ooo, I do have t-shirts with store logo - winner

Re: Does anyone use etax?

cherry*135 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:44:20 GMT

Paints wrote :yes but would you not agree - relieves govt of all their admin work? Has the tax dept been culled to the point where they cannot process manual income tax applications in a timely manner - one wonders

No, I would not agree. Electronic processing of tax returns is a lot more quicker and more efficient than using manual paper ones. Less staff in a Govt Dept = lower wage bill = less cost to taxpayers.

Do we not want our Govt Depts to be more efficient and cut costs, which in this case, offering etax which benefits taxpayers who choose to use it. Tax refunds are received much quicker than they used to be.

We live in a technological age. Why should the ATO not evolve from sending out every taxpayer a paper tax pack every year, then receive those paper tax returns back and have paid staff manually checking them and processing the returns. Takes a lot of time, paper, delivery costs of tax packs, and salary costs.

etax is not compulsory. People can use a tax agent or still send in a paper return.
Shouldn't govt depts aim to be more efficient and keep their costs down??

Re: Does anyone use etax?

cherry*135 — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:57:50 GMT

tttt - thanks for the info. I think the mygov log in should be optional. Especially when there are technical issues as below.

Jul 3
The Tax Office has been hit by a technical issue which prevents people lodging tax returns and accessing other essential government services online.

The issue is related to this year's mandatory requirement for taxpayers to use a myGov login when lodging returns online. The myGov site is a portal the federal government created as a single log-in for all its services.

Re: Does anyone use etax?

green.fields — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 03:24:30 GMT

Our accountant does ours, I honestly don't think I'd like any of those walk in 20 min places whether you have an easy or hard tax return.