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Fluent · Handout
Tax time and benefits: Australia.
A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada.
Moraph for Good · Fluent
Tax time and benefits: Australia
Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/tax-time-and-benefits
Filing a return can be how refunds, credits and some benefits reach you. This sheet has what to keep, how to spot a scam, and the free official help where you live.
Why file
- Tax taken from your pay may come back
- Some credits are only paid if you file
- Some benefits use your tax information
Free help first
- Look for free official help before paying
- Ask a paid preparer the full price first
- A refund loan is a loan: ask what it costs
Keep these
- Copies of every return you file
- Income statements and receipts for claims
- Every letter from the tax or benefit office
Scam signs
- Threats of arrest over tax
- Payment by gift card, crypto or payment app
- A refund link sent by text or email
- Go to the official site yourself to check
In Australia
- Free help to lodge. You may be eligible for help lodging your return through the ATO’s free Tax Help program, or through National Tax Clinics, which help some people who can’t afford professional help. A registered tax agent is a paid option.
- Lodge, or tell the ATO you don’t need to. Most people need to lodge a tax return or a non-lodgment advice before 31 October each year. Waiting until the ATO has pre-filled your income information helps you get it right.
- Family payments. If you lodge a return, your income information goes to Services Australia to balance Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy. If you or your partner don’t need to lodge, you still need to tell Services Australia.
- After you lodge. Your notice of assessment is sent to your myGov inbox. You can amend your return if you made a mistake, and you may be able to set up a payment plan if you can’t pay a tax bill in full.
- Scams at tax time. myGov warns that scams and identity theft can increase during tax time.
Official places to check:
- myGov (Australian Government): my.gov.au/en/services/work/currently-employed/tax-when-you-work/tax-time/what-to-do-at-tax-time
- myGov (Australian Government): my.gov.au/en/services/work/currently-employed/tax-when-you-work/tax-time/after-you-lodge-your-tax-return
General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/tax-time-and-benefits