The ATO is mad!

[lurker172602]

I got a letter today from the ATO stating, correctly, that I hadn't lodged a Tax Return since 2010, and demanding that I do so. I have been retired since then and indicated that on my 2009/10 return.
During the 2013/14 year I did work. FOR ONE DAY at the Federal election from which they withheld $4 in tax, even though I had signed and lodged the appropriate variation form.
So this afternoon I have spent a couple of hours registering with MyGov and completing a return for 13/14, and signing a declaration for the other years, so that they can return my $4.
I suspect I will have to complete another return this tax year because I, again, worked for one day at the state election. Even worse, this time they did acknowledge my variation form and didn't withhold any tax. So I will have to go through the process just to show that I don't owe them anything and they don't need to pay me a cent.

Madness!

[village_person]

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@lurker172602 wrote:
I got a letter today from the ATO stating, correctly, that I hadn't lodged a Tax Return since 2010, and demanding that I do so. I have been retired since then and indicated that on my 2009/10 return.
During the 2013/14 year I did work. FOR ONE DAY at the Federal election from which they withheld $4 in tax, even though I had signed and lodged the appropriate variation form.
So this afternoon I have spent a couple of hours registering with MyGov and completing a return for 13/14, and signing a declaration for the other years, so that they can return my $4.
I suspect I will have to complete another return this tax year because I, again, worked for one day at the state election. Even worse, this time they did acknowledge my variation form and didn't withhold any tax. So I will have to go through the process just to show that I don't owe them anything and they don't need to pay me a cent.

Madness!

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You should have got a bit of relief today because of the public service strike. Your respite will be short-lived.

[cherry*135]

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secondhand-wonderland wrote:

I'm really amused at the amount of people here that are just such amazing little well behaved citizens.  FGS whats the problem with tradies getting a few cash jobs here and there, or a business stashing a little of the daily cash takings for a rainy day.  People who own their own businesses work really hard and long hours imo they deserve to pocket a bit of their earnings.  I dont care if it's illegal, it's their right.

 EVERY time a tradie offers a cheaper quote for cash or a cleaner fails to declare a cash payment, the rest of Australia’s PAYG workers pick up a tab — as much as $25 billion a year.

Thats bulldust imo. Just over exagerated hype to make sure all the "workers" declare every last penny and pay every cent thats due to the ato.  

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It's illegal, that is what is wrong with it. No one's right to evade their tax responsibilities. Otherwise we would all be doing it, and the country would collapse.. no money for schools, hospitals, roading, social welfare...etc

Any person earning an income is by law required to declare it and pay the correct amount of tax on it. That's not optional!

No, it's not over exaggerated hype.

Employees go to work, earn $X a week/ft night - tax is withheld from their earnings by their employers.

Anyone doing cash in hand jobs is evading their tax responsibiities and ripping of other taxpayers who pay their share. Also theyreduce the amount of tax received by the ATO which is then redistributed by the Govt for public services.

This hasNothing to do with lurker/topic of this thread though (not a cash in hand payment, infact, correct  amount of tax was withheld).

I suppose some think it is just fine as well,  for people in receipt of Govt benefits to work doing cash in hand jobs and not declare that income  to Centrelink or the ATO as well.

[k0llectable5]

You'd be naive to think payg workers don't get some cash as well. Small businesses often pay their workers part on the books and part cash and omg yes these workers actually agree to it.

[cherry*135]

Not salaried employees in medium to big sized companies/businesses. Which would be major employers in Australia.

Maybe some workers that work in hospitality. My girls worked in hospitaltiy p/t when at Uni over several years each, they got paid properly (bank depositt) and appropriate tax deducted. Mostly smaller cafes, a couple of franchise fast food outlets.

Cash in hand would be of no advantage to them (especially since the tax free threshold was increased to $18,200) Employers only want to pay cash in hand so they can underpay their workers.

Or employees want cash so they can rip off Govt (other taxpayers) and not declare it so they can keep receiving their Govt benefit.

 Shonky employers may oblige as they can then pay them at less than legal award rate.

[k0llectable5]

Beyond that I'm sorry for changing the topic of this thread. I've said my piece and appreciate those who have replied with their opinions. I think that my original post regarding cash was taken out of context to the extreme. People who work for some cash are not criminals, I never endorsed govt benefit recipients not declaring income. I just don't see a problem with people who earn a bit of cash here and there. It seems fair to me for those that work their a$$es off every day. I have nothing else to say on this.

[lurker172602]

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@secondhand-wonderland wrote:
You'd be naive to think payg workers don't get some cash as well. Small businesses often pay their workers part on the books and part cash and omg yes these workers actually agree to it.

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I don't know you and where or at what you work and you don't know me.  However, I can honestly say, with hand on heart, that I have NEVER had any portion of my income paid in cash.  Also I have worked in finance/admin for several small and medium size companies over the years and NEVER have any staff been paid under the counter.

[cherry*135]

• People who work for some cash are not criminals,

Yes, they are if they are not declaring that income so as to avoid paying income tax. If they were caught, they would be charged.

I have had various jobs in different industries, and no under the table cash payments for employees either. I know this for sure because I was a pay clerk.