The Tax Office has issued 7.9 million tax bonus payments since early April. As we’ve covered extensively in posts and comments, to be eligible for the payment you had to:
- be an Australian resident for tax purposes
- have a taxable income of $100,000 or less in the 2007-08 financial year
- have lodged your 2007-08 tax return, and
- paid tax in 2007-08.
Where is my payment?
You’ve wait patiently as millions of other Aussies have cashed their $900 cheques. The initial deadline has passed and no tax bonus for you…. now what?
If you lodged your 2007-08 tax return before the end of March 2009 you should have received your payment by now. If you haven’t, make sure you are eligible and also check to see if the payment is with your tax agent or accountant.
If you’re eligible for the payment and lodged your return before the end of March 2009, but neither you nor your agent have received it, call the ATO tax bonus line on 1300 686 636 .
I’m not going to kid you… it’s not always easy to get through on this number and you might be faced with a recorded message. Unfortunately if a taxpayer contacts the ATO on any other line regarding the bonus, they will simply be directed to call the 1300 number anyway. Be persistent!
The call centres are open between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am and 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday (weekend hours only apply until 24 May).
A much better option if you used a tax agent to do your return is to have them chase it up for you.
If you didn’t lodge your return by the end of March 2009 you can expect your tax bonus payment within four weeks after you receive your notice of assessment letter.
Haven’t lodged yet? DO IT NOW!
What are you waiting for? If you still haven’t lodged your 2007-08 tax return, you should do it soon, as time is running out! You could miss out on the payment if you don’t lodge your return by 30 June 2009. It’s time to get it done.
Article by Christie Lewis
Christie is Practice Manager at Alan Lewis Accountants . Besides accounting, her passion is for all things small business (and blogging, of course). You can contact Christie directly at christie@lewistaxation.com.au.
Christie has written 799 awesome articles for us at Alan Lewis Accountants – BLOG
Twitter: @christielewis
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