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Doing your tax? Here are some tips

When tax time rolls around, tax tips are everywhere.

While some advice is helpful, other claims don’t quite add up. With information spreading quickly though AI tools, social media and group chats, it can be difficult to tell what’s accurate and what’s not. 

A message from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO): pause and check the facts. 

Taking a moment to consider where the information comes from can save you time, reduce mistakes and avoid the need for amendments later. 

Here are some practical ways to stay on track at tax time: 

  • Use trusted sources like ato.gov.au, the ATO app or a registered tax professional. 
  • Make sure claims are supported by records. No records means no claim. 
  • Check ATO Community to see answers to common questions and check what others are asking. 
  • Be cautious of advice promising big deductions or ‘secret’ tax tricks. 
  • Look out for common mistakes like overclaiming, missing income or lodging before your pre-fill is ready. 

Whatever your role, it pays to learn what you can claim. 

For reliable information, tailored for your occupation, the ATO’s occupation guides are a great place to start. 

Visit ato.gov.au to find out more or visit ato.gov.au/teacher to find a detailed guide for teacher and education professionals. 

The ATO’s occupation guides explain: 

  • what income you must declare 
  • which deductions you may be able to claim 
  • what records you need to keep. 

After you’ve lodged your return, the quickest and easiest way to check the progress of your tax return is with the ATO app or by logging into ATO online services through myGov. Most tax returns lodged online take about 12 business days to be processed.

Most importantly, union fees are tax-deductible.

Independent Education Union membership fees are fully tax-deductible. IEU members can claim their yearly union dues when lodging their tax return.

  • If you pay your union fees via payroll deduction, no action is required – your fees will be recorded in the income statement your employer lodges with the ATO.
  • If you pay by direct debit or other means, you can download your tax statement from the IEU website.

Watch our video and follow these simple steps:

Where to find your tax statement

  • Log in to https://www.ieu.asn.au/member-portal/ 
  • Select the My Account tab.
  • Navigate to Professional information > My Financial Statements.
  • Your statements for the last three financial years will be available here.
  • Click on the relevant statement to download a PDF.

More information

Posted on | by Zoe Hercus
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