Group certificates

[David]

I'm in a bit of a predicament: I've booked an appointment with an accountant to do my taxes on Thursday afternoon, but I haven't yet received a group certificate from either job. Both of my workplaces have told me that group certificates usually come out in the second week of July, so all hope is not lost, but I am starting to wonder if I should cancel the appointment just in case (which would be a pain, as the next slot isn't until August at the earliest).

I was wondering about an alternative course of action, though. My payslips feature a cumulative year-to-date total underneath, so in theory my last payslip before the end of the financial year has all the info I need, right? If this is so, can I just use this instead? What are the rules around this sort of thing?

[think positive]

[stui magpie]

They're called 'payment Summaries" now, and they don't have to be out til the 14th.

I tend to wait til August,then log into the tax return part on Mygov so I can see what the ATO knows. Once I'm sure the ATO already has everything, then I do the return.

If you've just got salary and wages I don't know why you'd go to an accountant.

But, if you're going to be charged for an appointment when you don't yet have all your stuff so you'll have to do another one and get charged again, I'l reschedule.

[Mugwump]

^ yeah, I had the same reaction. If you are just receiving wages and have. Few standard deductions, do you really need an accountant ? Sounds like you may be paying good money for a pretty simple procedure.

[David]

Perhaps I'm just lazy, but I've always found I get a much better return when I use an accountant – as some of my work is freelance, I struggle to keep track of what I can and can't claim, and I'm worried that I might claim too much (or too little!). At any rate, the fee is itself tax-deductible, so I've generally found it a worthwhile exercise.

[stui magpie]

On deductions, the ATO generally work on a threshold, probably a simple algorithm, around what you claim as deductions compared to others in similar employment. If you don't stick out, all good.

So don't be greedy and you won't have problems

[luvdids]

[ronrat]

The Press speech by the Commissioner for taxation was interesting. One of his statements was that too many people claim clothing as a tax deduction and alluding to uniforms being waht you can claim for. A suit is not a uniform.

Is he for real. Someone should have taken this up. Protective clothing is not a suit. When I worked for Defence I was required to visit ranges, factories and occasionally the field. Did he expect me to wear a suit to a workshop? No I got a pair of overalls, protective glasses etc.

Does he expect every workshop to have uniforms, every plumber to have their name embroidered on his shirt when deep down in shit. Where on the gumboots does a concreter put his logo. Farmers should be wearing hats to protect against the sun. Suerly child care workers are entitled to claim costs of getting off baby sick.

Aside from sportspeople who wears free uniforms? Or caps ala golfers. Even the armed forces have to pay but get a uniform allowance.

The Commissioner should go to find out how his deputy was involved in a massive fraud rather than fo after some poor bugger who PAYE employee working in a factory and not an airconditioned office in Canberra.

[stui magpie]

^

the tax rules around claiming clothing are pretty clear.

PPE (personal protective equipment) is tax deductible, uniforms unless branded are not and suits definitely aren't.

Hospitality staff may be required to wear a particular colour Tshirt and pants, but if they aren't branded they can't be claimed.

Work pants for a tradie aren't, safety boots are, hi vis tops maybe.

[David]

After all that, I've had to reschedule my appointment to mid-August anyway! A combination of too much to do at the new job tomorrow and Ingmar not feeling well. Thanks for the advice, though, everyone.

[think positive]

Hope the little tacker is ok xxx and don't catch it yourself!

[5150]

It's exciting getting your first group certificate David...
Hang tough brother, the mail man will bring it shortly!

[David]

My first? Lol. Too tired to work out if you're trying to take the piss or not...

[Culprit]

Some companies are just slack. I get paid monthly 15th. Had mine about the 20th and have been and done my Tax already.

[stui magpie]

We send most of ours by email. Tried to do it Sunday but something stuffed up so did the rest Monday