July 2001 Volume 82 Number 7 "serving the protectors"

1. To make sure your refund is not delayed, double check your name, TFN and date of birth on your return before you lodge it.

2. Make a list of all the employers you have worked for during the financial year and wait until you get all of your payment summaries (this is the new name for group certificates) before you lodge your return.

3. If there's a reportable fringe benefit amount shown on any of your payment summaries, you should include the total amount at item 9 on page 2 of your return.

4. Lots of Australians own shares now. Remember, dividends received and any capital gains made when shares are sold need to be included in your tax return.

5. Two of the most commom types of income left out of returns each year are interest earned on investments and government allowances such as Newstart (unemployment benefits).

6. The cost and laundering of ordinary/everyday clothing worn at work cannot be claimed as a deduction in your tax return, but protective clothing costs are allowable.

7. Gifts or donations cannot be claimed if something is received in return (eg Christmas cards or art union tickets).

8. Family tax benefit (FTB) is now available by lodging an FTB tax claim with your tax return or from the Family Assistance Office. FTB has changed the way some tax offsets (previously called rebates) can be claimed.

9. Remember, the Medicare levy surcharge question on page 5 of the return form is a compulsory item. If you do not complete this question, you may be charged the full Medicare levy surcharge.

10. Don't forget your 30% private health insurance tax offset. Your health fund will send you a letter, which will give details of whether you are eligible to claim an amount in your return.

The ATO provides information for 16 occupations - known as occupational rulings. For information see their Internet site at www.ato.gov.au, click on 'search and contents' and then search for 'occupational ruling'.

Also see tax help 2001 for police officers in South Australia insert in this edition of the Police Journal.

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