Tax agents push against online service
Australian tax agents are resisting the "aggressive" push by the Australian Taxation Office for taxpayers to use its online myTax service in the 2015 tax season.
Tax agent, H&R Block, said its data showed that those who use myTax and e-tax were more likely to make mistakes in their tax returns, and perhaps miss out on deductions. They also might end up owing more to the ATO and risk tax audits.
Deductions could come from properties, vehicle costs and home office expenses, and charitable donations.
The tax agent said it had lifted its share of tax return preparations in the 2015 tax season by 2.3 per cent to 3.6 million returns, despite an 8.4 per cent growth in electronically lodged returns on myTax to 1.8 million returns.
"As we near the 31 October deadline for self-lodgers, increasing numbers of those yet to lodge will be looking to tax agents to help them meet their obligations," director of tax communications, Mark Chapman said.
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