Support during tax time
It’s tax time and the Australian Taxation Office have a range of information, guides and supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to assist with tax returns.
Now is the best time to lodge your tax return and it can be completed and lodged online or by paper, via help from a tax agent or the Australian Taxation office (ATO) Tax Help program.
The ATO want to improve economic inclusion and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, businesses and not-for-profit organisations. To do this, they have tailored resources and supports available which include:
- Indigenous Helpline: You can phone the ATO’s Indigenous helpline on 13 10 30 (8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays). You can also get free help from the ATO’s trained volunteers at tax time if your income is around $70,000 or less.
- Your tax return: When you're receiving income, you need to lodge a tax return each year. Most people need to lodge a tax return by 31 October. A family member or someone you know can help you with your tax return.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages: The ATO provide a range of in-language audio guides, information and resources in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with their tax returns.
- Reach Out - Indigenous business support program: Reach Out is an Indigenous business support program that works with Indigenous small businesses to help them meet their tax and superannuation obligations.
The program is one of several Australian Government initiatives introduced to increase the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by helping them build sustainable businesses.
- Not-for-profit (NFP) organisations: If you're running an NFP organisation, there may be concessions you can claim but you may need to register your organisation first. Your NFP organisation may also have to register for taxes such as GST, FBT and PAYG withholding, depending on the type of organisation and how it operates. For more information and help you can call the Not For Profit information helpline on 1300 130 248.
- Tax and Native Title: On 28 June 2013, Parliament passed laws that affect you if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or an Indigenous holding entity and you receive a native title benefit.
This law says certain payments or non-cash benefits which you receive in relation to your native title rights are not subject to tax, including capital gains tax. These laws apply retrospectively to cover native title benefits received from 1 July 2008. For more information you can contact the Indigenous helpline on 13 10 30 or visit Receiving native title benefits | Australian Taxation Office.
- Offsets and rebates: If you live in a specified remote area or isolated area of Australia, you may be eligible for the zone tax offset.
- National Tax Clinic: The National Tax Clinic program is an independently run government-funded initiative that supports eligible individuals and small businesses who are unable to access tax advice and assistance due to economic, social or personal factors.
- ATO Community: The ATO Community online forum is available 24/7 and designed to make tax and superannuation easier to understand. It provides a space where you can ask questions, share knowledge, and discuss your experiences in a supportive environment.
More information
For more information visit: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | Australian Taxation Office.