Preparing a First Tax Return

I've been working at a café in Ryde for eight months. This is my first time lodging a tax return. I've downloaded my income statement from myGov, but I'm not sure whether it's ready for lodgement.

What an examiner checks here:

• Working at a café in Ryde
• Employed there for eight months
• First tax return
• Income statement downloaded from myGov
• Unsure whether ready for lodgement

Easy to miss: Eight months describes how long she has been working, not the period covered by the return.

I haven't had another job; this is my only job. But I've earned a little interest on my savings account. I haven't spent that money. Do I need to include that in the return too?

What an examiner checks here:

• No other job
• Current job is the only job
• Some interest earned on savings account
• Interest money has not been spent
• question: whether interest must also be included in the return

Easy to miss: Preserve the distinction between receiving the interest and not spending it.

I bought slip-resistant shoes to wear while working at the café. My employer said I had to wear them. I paid eighty-five dollars out of my own money. I also bought ordinary clothes to wear to work. I have all the receipts.

What an examiner checks here:

• Slip-resistant shoes bought for café work
• Employer required the shoes
• Paid eighty-five dollars
• Paid from own money
• Also bought ordinary work clothes
• Has all receipts

Easy to miss: The shoes cost eighty-five dollars, and the employer required them but did not pay for them.

All right, please let me know which expenses can be included after you've checked. Will I be able to see what you've put in the return before it's lodged? If there's anything wrong, we can correct it then, can't we?

What an examiner checks here:

• Advise which expenses can be included after checking
• question: whether return contents can be viewed before lodgement
• question: whether any errors can be corrected then

Easy to miss: Keep both questions, including the request to confirm that errors can be corrected before lodgement.

Yes, I'll give my consent once I understand every detail. I'll come back with the bank interest details and the receipts. Could you book me another appointment?

What an examiner checks here:

• Consent only after understanding every detail
• Will return with bank interest details
• Will bring receipts
• question: request for another appointment

Easy to miss: Consent is conditional on understanding every detail; it has not already been given.

I'll come on Thursday at three in the afternoon. I'll bring the bank interest details and all the receipts. I'll also write down my questions and bring them along so I don't forget to ask anything.

What an examiner checks here:

• Will attend on Thursday at three in the afternoon
• Will bring bank interest details
• Will bring all receipts
• Will write down and bring questions
• Purpose is to avoid forgetting to ask anything

Easy to miss: Include both the written questions and the reason for writing them down.