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!

[donnashuggy · Accepted solution]

Our life is run by bots

[donnashuggy]

Last year when I didn't receive the form to lodge my BAS I called the ATO, they said my address was listed as invalid and that is why I didn't receive it. It is the same address I had been using for the past 12 years.

[cherry*135]

Yep, looks like that pesky $4 w/held tax is to blame.

I did the Do I need to lodge thing on the ATO site, entering earnt under 18,200, had tax witheld.

You need to lodge a tax return

The decision is based on the following reason(s):

• You have tax withheld from Australian income that you have received.

[fiestas*girl]

you are not required to lodge a tax return if you earn undwr $18,200 however, you are required to advise the ATO in writting or via your accoumtant that you are not required to lodge a returm.

if you have franking credits attached to dividends and earn under $18,200 you would still lodge a return to get this frankng credits refunded to you

[cherry*135 · Accepted solution]

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@fiestas*girl wrote:

you are not required to lodge a tax return if you earn undwr $18,200 however, you are required to advise the ATO in writting or via your accoumtant that you are not required to lodge a returm.

if you have franking credits attached to dividends and earn under $18,200 you would still lodge a return to get this frankng credits refunded to you

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you are not required to lodge a tax return if you earn undwr $18,200 - Yes, normally a taxpayer wouldn't have tax w/held from their wages/salary if they earnt under that amount.

However, the OP has had tax withheld. From working a one off job on election day (not an employee as such).

The ATO website says you have to put in a tax return if you have had tax w/held - even if you earn under $18,200.

[cherry*135]

Do you need to lodge a tax return? 2014

If any of the following applies to you then you must lodge a tax return.

Reason 1

During 2013-14, you were an Australian resident and you:

paid tax under the pay as you go (PAYG) withholding or instalment system, or
had tax withheld from payments made to you.

https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-return/2014/Before-you-start/Do-you-need-to-lodge-a-tax-retur...

[crosbystills]

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@fiestas*girl wrote:

if you have franking credits attached to dividends and earn under $18,200 you would still lodge a return to get this frankng credits refunded to you

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It's not necessary to lodge a return. Simply ring up the ATO and ask them to send you a form to claim franking credits. You can do this up to 10 years retrospectively.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

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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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Dear Lurker,

Thankyou for continuing to employ our minions at the ATO.

We are grateful for your ongoing support.

Dont forget to deposit your refund! 

[lind9650]

It's Joe Hockey, after the big Tax Dodgers.

How many $4.- does he need to make one billion?

Erica