Workers and small business owners would be able to get advice on their tax at free expert clinics under a plan proposed by Labor.
Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh said the 10 free tax clinics, which would be rolled out under a Shorten government, would "make tax less taxing".
"While multinationals and millionaires can afford an armada of experts to navigate the tax system, low- and middle-income Australians are often intimidated by the tax system, and unsure where to turn to get help," Dr Leigh said.
Under the plan, each tax clinic would have volunteers, students and pro bono tax practitioners on hand to help low-income taxpayers and microbusinesses with administrative tax matters, including completing tax returns and responding to queries raised by the tax office.
As well, the law would be changed to allow the clinics to register as tax agents in their own right.
A trial run by Western Australia's Curtin University found the clinics not only saved stress and time for taxpayers but offered a training opportunity for students and allowed tax professionals to give back to the community.
