Earning Extra Income? What You Need to Know About Declaring It Published: 24 September 2025 Gotax Publishing Side gigs are booming in Australia. Whether you’re tutoring, freelancing, driving rideshare, or doing weekend photography, that extra income needs to be declared. The ATO doesn’t care if it’s “just a few hundred bucks”—if you’re earning, you&r
Big Gear, Big Claims – Capital Equipment Rules for Freelancers Updated:05/10/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Publishing Capital equipment purchases can save you big at tax time — if you claim them right. In 2025, ABN holders may use instant asset write-off for assets under the threshold, while employees stick to depreciation. Knowing which bucket you fall into can mean the differe
Why Aussies Blow Their Tax Refunds—and How to Be Smarter This Year Published: 24 September 2025 Gotax Publishing Every year, millions of Australians receive a tax refund—and every year, most of it disappears within weeks. New phones, weekend getaways, impulse buys. The refund feels like free money, but it’s not. It’s your money, returned because you overpaid tax. T
Working from Home? Claiming Your Home Office Expenses Without Getting Audited Published: 1 October 2025 Gotax Publishing Working from home isn’t just a pandemic hangover—it’s the new normal for thousands of Australians. Whether you’re a freelancer, sole trader, or employee with a hybrid setup, you may be eligible to claim home office expenses in your tax return. But h
Residency for Tax Purposes: WHM Deep Dive 2025 Published: 29th September 2025 Gotax Publlishing If you’re a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) in Australia on a 417 or 462 visa, you’re probably here for a good time — not forever. But while you’re surfing, farming, or pulling beers in Bondi, the ATO still wants its slice. And whether you’re classed as a resident or non-
Your First Tax Return? Here’s a Step-by-Step Checklist Before 30 June Published: Sept 2025 Gotax Publishing If you’ve just started working, finished your first year as a freelancer, or picked up casual shifts, you might be staring down your first tax return—and wondering what on earth to do. The good news? Lodging your tax return online is easier than ever, especially with
What the ATO Wants You to Know About Declaring Online Income in 2025 Published: Sept 2025 Gotax Publishing In 2025, earning money through online platforms is more common than ever. Whether you're driving for Uber, selling handmade goods on Etsy, picking up jobs on Airtasker, or offering services through Upwork or Fiverr, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) considers this income assessab
Claiming Work-Related Travel Expenses—What’s Legit and What’s Risky Published: 24 September 2025 Gotax Publishing Work-related travel expenses are one of the most claimed—and most audited—deductions in Australia. Whether you’re driving between job sites, attending client meetings, or flying interstate for work, the ATO wants to know: is it legit? This g
Missed the Deadline? What Happens When You Lodge Late—and How to Fix It Fast Published: 1 Novenmber 2025 Gotax Publishing If you’ve missed the 31 October tax deadline, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) doesn’t send friendly reminders. They send penalties. Whether you were too busy, forgot, or didn’t reali
Union Fees, Memberships & Journals – Deduction Gold or Fluff? Updated:23/09/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Registered Tax Agent Insight Union fees, professional memberships, and even certain work-related journals can be claimed as tax deductions. In 2025, the rules are clear: if it directly relates to earning your income, it’s deductible. But there are limits, and some membe