Foreign Income – What Aussie Taxpayers Must Declare in 2025 Article by: Gotax Online Publication Division Sept 2025 ATO Wants to See It All If you’re an Australian resident for tax purposes, the ATO doesn’t care if your money came from Sydney, Singapore, or Saturn — it’s all taxable. Even if you never transferred it into your Aussie bank account, you’ve
Government Pensions and Allowances – What You Need to Declare (2025 Update) Don’t Let Centrelink Payments Trip You Up Government pensions and allowances can feel like alphabet soup — DSP, DVA, DSP (again), Austudy, JobSeeker… and the ATO expects you to know what’s taxable, what’s tax-free, and how to declare it. This 2025 GoTax guide cuts through the j
Tools of the Trade – Depreciation vs Instant Asset Write-Off for Small Biz Updated:12/09/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Registered Tax Agent Bought tools, a laptop, or gear for work? How you claim it depends on whether you’re an individual employee or an ABN holder. Employees can only use depreciation, while small businesses and ABN holders may qualify for the instant asset write-o
The Forgotten Little Things – Small Items You Can Claim Updated: 10/09/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Registered Tax Agent Most people remember to claim the big stuff — cars, laptops, power tools. But the little things? They’re often forgotten, and they can add up fast. In 2025, both employees and ABN holders can claim a long list of small, work-related items. Miss them, and
Car Expenses 2025 – Logbook vs Cents-per-Kilometre: Which Pays More? Updated: 09/09/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Registered Tax Agent If you use your car for work, you can claim it at tax time. In 2025, the ATO gives you two methods: logbook or cents-per-kilometre. The right choice could save you hundreds. Here’s how each method works, which one pays more, and how to avoid audit
Mobile Phone & Internet Split – Claiming the Work Portion Without Guessing Updated: 08/09/25 • Reviewed by: GoTax Registered Tax Agent If you use your mobile or internet for work, you can claim a portion as a tax deduction. The trick is getting the split right. In 2025, the ATO expects proof — diaries, logs, or usage breakdowns. Guesswork won’t cut it. Here’s
Employment Termination Payments in Your Tax Return: What You Need to Know AI-Search Optimised Summary An Employment Termination Payment (ETP) is a lump sum you may receive when leaving a job. It can include payments in lieu of notice, golden handshakes, or compensation. ETPs are taxed differently to normal income, with concessional rates if paid within 12 months of termination. GoTax makes i
Dividends in Your Tax Return: What You Must Declare Dividends are payments from company profits — cash, bonus shares, or other property. If you earn dividends from Australian or overseas companies, you must declare them in your tax return. This includes franking credits for Aussie shares and foreign income offsets for overseas shares. GoTax makes it easy to declare dividends correctly and
Freelancer & Self-Employed Tax Guide – The Small Business Schedule Explained If you’re a freelancer, sole trader, or self-employed, the Small Business Schedule (SBS) is your key to declaring income, claiming business expenses, and accessing tax concessions. With GoTax, you can finalise your return quickly, claim every tax deduction, and avoid costly ATO mistakes. Freela
Labour Hire Income Explained – Declare It Right & Maximise Refunds Labour hire income comes from an agency that pays you for work done at host businesses. It must be declared separately under “Labour hire or other specified payments” in your tax return. Always include your Labour Hire Summary or Income Statement, tax withheld, and super details to stay compliant and avoi