The end of June is only a short time away and in Australia, like many countries, this means time to file a personal income tax return. To assist with personal tax returns, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has, for a number of years now, been providing a free online tax return tool, dubbed eTax.
E-tax is a freely available online tax returns tool that takes only a short time to download and get started with. Australian residents required to complete a personal tax return can download the software and complete their return on the web without the need to mail anything to the tax office.
Completing tax returns online means less paperwork, a faster process and, in most cases a faster tax return. Completing tax returns online, using free tax return software such as E-tax doesn't take the pain out of paying tax, but it does make things easier.
Eligibility to Complete Tax Returns Online
To be eligible to complete tax returns online users must meet the following requirements:
- Have an original or amended ATO Notice of Assessment issued within the last 5 years or;
- Have a Tax File Number, name, date of birth and a "shared secret" (unique identifying information)
Downloading and Installing the Free Online Tax Return Software (E-tax)
The free online tax return software (E-tax) is available at the Australian Tax Office website. The site lists minimum system requirements for installation and also outlines the usual terms and conditions to which the user must agree to complete the download.
Once the E-tax package has been downloaded from the ATO site, simply run the installer package file (e.g. etax2009_1.msi). A series of prompts will then guide the user through the installation and set-up process.
Using the e-Tax Software to Complete Online Tax Returns
Anyone who is able to navigate web sites and browser-based software interfaces will be able to use the E-tax software. The interface is intuitive and users are prompted where information is mandatory. A number of key validations are also completed automatically by the software to prompt users when information entered conflicts with earlier provided information.
The E-tax software also has quite an extensive built-in help system with search, contents and index functionality. This help system and the intuitiveness of the tool's design make completing a personal income tax return on the web a relatively painless process; well, as painless a spaying taxes can be.
Completing an Income Tax Return Online and User Responsibilities
Completing an income tax return online does make things easy, but it does not absolve the user of certain responsibilities. Users, when utilising free tax return software, need to bear these responsibilities in mind.
Users of E-tax are still subject to usual tax law, as it would apply to a tax return completed by any other method. For example, full records for deductions must still be retained by users for a period of seven years. Users of the free tax software are still accountable for the information provided in the personal income tax return.
Online Security and Free Online Tax Return Software
It's important to keep the following in mind when using E-tax or indeed any free tax return software online:
- Ensure internet security software including firewalls and virus protection are installed and up to date
- Ensure that personal computers holding tax, and all financial information for that matter, are password protected with a strong password
- Only exchange information with the tax office and other bodies through secure and recommended mediums (i.e. Never email personal or financial details)
Completing a personal income tax return will never be entirely painless. However, using free tax return software can at least make it a little easier.
Ashley Wright - Ashley defines himself as a father, husband and writer, all roles that he cherishes. After spending a number of years in the workforce, in ...
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