Can I Lodge a Tax Return Without a Group Certificate?

Spoiler alert: Yes, you can. Because it’s 2025, not 1985. Paper group certificates are out, digital income statements are in. Welcome to the new world, where tech (and GoTax) do all the heavy lifting so you don’t have to hunt down a crumpled bit of paper from your boss.

What Replaced the Group Certificate?

The humble group certificate has been put out to pasture. Today, employers report your income, tax withheld, and superannuation through Single Touch Payroll (STP), which gets sent straight to the ATO. This forms your Income Statement — and it’s all online.

So instead of bugging your boss or raiding your sock drawer for old paperwork, all your info should appear magically (well, digitally) in your tax return. That’s called prefill — and it’s brilliant.

Where Do I See My Income Statement?

You can view your income statement:

• In your myGov account linked to the ATO

• Or better yet, by starting your return at www.gotax.com.au where our system pulls it for you (no stress, no sweat).

But here’s the kicker — it won’t show as “Tax Ready” until your employer finalises it. That usually happens by 15 July, but not always. If it’s not finalised, you’ll have to wait. Or risk getting audited. Don’t do that. Seriously.

What If It’s Missing or Wrong?

Let’s play detective:

•  Check MyGov or GoTax – is the job listed?

• No job listed? Ask your employer if they’ve submitted the STP data.

• Still no luck? Call the ATO or use our GoTax team — we’ll help you chase it up.

Common Mistakes People Make

1. Waiting for a physical group certificate – Stop. It’s extinct.

2. Lodging before data is finalised – That’s asking for trouble.

3. Assuming everything prefilled is correct – Always check!

4. Not declaring side income – Uber driving on the weekends? Declare it.

5. Missing income from short-term jobs – Especially if you worked multiple gigs.

10 Q&As to make you Tax Smart

1. Can I lodge without a group certificate?
   Yes, income statements replace them.

2. Where do I find my income statement?
   myGov or GoTax.

3. Do I need to upload anything?
   No, if STP is finalised, it’s already there.

4. When is it finalised?
   Usually by 15 July each year.

5. Can I lodge early without the finalised data?
   You can… but don’t. It risks ATO review.

6. What if my employer hasn’t submitted anything?
   Contact them or we’ll help chase them.

7. What if I worked multiple jobs?
   Each job must have its own income statement.

8. How do I correct wrong info?
   Speak to your employer — they must fix it.

9. Can GoTax pull this data for me?
   Absolutely — it’s what we do.

10. What if I lost access to myGov?
    No worries — start with GoTax. We’ve got you.

Tips to Avoid Income Statement Drama

• Wait till after 15 July to start your tax return

• Use GoTax, not your memory

• Keep your employer’s contact details handy in case of drama

• Double-check the figures — don’t assume tech gets it 100% right

What About Record Keeping?

Even though the ATO gets your data, you still need to keep your own records. Especially for:

• Work-related tax deductions

• Side hustles or ABN income

• Receipts for self-education or tools

This is where Deduction Grabber shines. Snap, store and sort your receipts all year. That way, tax time is just tap-tap-done. No shoeboxes required.

Why GoTax Is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Tax Time)

• Prefills your info (no group certificate required)

• Checks for missing data

• Gives you smart guidance and AI support from Derek

• Handles multiple jobs and ABNs easily

• Backed by real accountants who know their stuff

Get Your Tax Return Done the Smart Way

It’s 2025. Don’t wait for paper certificates or chase old employers. GoTax is fast, easy, funny, and totally digital.

Start Now at www.gotax.com.au

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