ATO offers free help to file tax return though pop-up shops

This service provides face-to-face advice, guidance and support to taxpayers at community hubs, libraries, shopping centres, shows and universities around the country. Also, if you earn less than $60,000, ATO can help you lodge your tax return for free.

Source: Pexels

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is hosting pop-up shops around Australia this tax time to help taxpayers lodge their returns.

This service provides face-to-face advice, guidance and support to taxpayers at community hubs, libraries, shopping centres, shows and universities around the country.

“We are visiting sites around the country to support members of the community who may be unsure of how to use our digital services,” Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said.

“We want everyone to feel confident using our online products and services, regardless of whether you use an agent or lodge your own return,” she said.

The pop-up shops demonstrate the ATO’s online lodgement tool, myTax, and smartphone app myDeductions tool used to claim deductions.

Taxpayers will also be able to link their myGov account to the ATO, find lost super, lodge tax returns among other things at these pop-up shops.

“Most people can lodge through myTax in less than half an hour and you no longer have to worry about lost or faded receipts. Use our myDeductions tool to snap, save and store receipts to keep track of your expenses. Getting your deductions right helps your community and gives you peace of mind” Ms Foat said.

Pop-up location	Start date	End date	Location type	State
University of Technology, Sydney	23/07/2019	24/07/2019	University	NSW
Karratha Library	23/07/2019	23/07/2019	Library	WA
Liverpool Library	23/07/2019	24/07/2019	Library	NSW
Dampier Library	24/07/2019	24/07/2019	Library	WA
Huonville Library	25/07/2019	25/07/2019	Library	TAS
RMIT University	01/08/2019	01/08/2019	University	VIC
Spinifex Spree Carnival – Port Hedland	26/07/2019	27/07/2019	Show	WA
Bundaberg Library	29/07/2019	30/07/2019	Community Centre	QLD
Flinders University	29/07/2019	30/07/2019	University	SA
Southern Cross Station	05/08/2019	09/08/2019	Train Station	VIC
Falcon Library	13/08/2019	13/08/2019	Library	WA
Mandurah Library	14/08/2019	14/08/2019	Library	WA
Eastlands Shopping Centre	15/08/2019	17/08/2019	Shopping Centre	TAS
Lakelands Library	15/08/2019	15/08/2019	Library	WA
Tamworth Show	30/08/2019	01/09/2019	Show	NSW
Katherine Library	15/10/2019	16/10/2019	Library	NT
Casuarina Square Shopping Centre	17/10/2019	19/10/2019	Shopping Centre	NT

Get Tax Help for free

If your income is around $60,000 or less this financial year, ATO’s Tax Help program can help you lodge your tax return for free.

Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax.

“Last year alone, we helped over 30,000 people lodge their taxes. Since 1988 the Tax Help service has helped more than one-and-a-half million Australians with their tax returns,” Ms Foat said.

This assistance is available from July to October in all capital cities and many regional areas across Australia. One can call ATO on 13 28 61 to find your nearest Tax Help centre and make an appointment.

“These two programs help thousands each year to get it right at tax time. Staff at our pop-up shops can explain the benefits of going digital, while our Tax Help program helps those on low incomes with simple tax affairs, to do their return, which is especially important,” Ms Foat said.

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Disclaimer: We’d like to point out that the information contained in this segment is general and is not specific advice. If you would like accurate information relevant to your situation, you should ask your tax agent/Accountant/financial planner.