Information about other operating systems and browsers for e-tax users

More about other operating systems and browsers

Refer to the following information for answers to commonly asked questions about using operating systems and browsers other than those recommended as compatible with e-tax.

Why isn't e-tax compatible with non-Windows operating systems?

A number of factors are taken into account during the development of e-tax that impact on our ability to provide taxpayers with a multi-platform or platform independent solution. The highest priority each income year is updating e-tax so that it is compatible with changes to tax legislation. Only once we have allocated the information technology (IT) resources necessary to achieve this can other enhancements be considered.

Other constraints include security and privacy, compatibility with our internal operational systems and databases and ensuring that any enhancements made provide the whole community with a maximum return on investment.

The e-tax application is written in several languages and the application suite contains approximately one million lines of code.

We understand that some computing platforms will not be compatible with the e-tax software and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we have a responsibility to the entire taxpaying community to balance our limited IT resources so that we can make the necessary changes to update e-tax each income year to accommodate changes to tax legislation.

We commenced work in 2007 on redeveloping e-tax in order to make it platform independent. The intent of the project was to test a redeveloped e-tax product with a small group of users in 2008. However, the project identified a number of challenges and complexities that were so significant that the Tax Office was unable to proceed with that model.

Will this change? If so, by when?

We are unable to provide a timeframe when e-tax will be compatible with non-Windows operating systems.

We are currently undertaking a very substantial multi-year process to modernise our IT systems. This program of work is intended to deliver a better experience for all taxpayers across the full range of taxes the Tax Office administers. As part of this work, we have had to identify where we can best invest our IT resources. For this reason, the compatibility of the e-tax product with non-Windows operating systems has been delayed until appropriate resources are available.

In the meantime, we will continue to improve the e-tax product and, where resources allow, will explore how it can be made available to users of non-Windows operating systems.

What options are available for non-Windows users?

The following are a number of options available to help you lodge your tax return.

• You can use e-tax if:
• you have an Intel-based Macintosh with a utility, such as Boot Camp, and a recommended ‘Windows’ operating system, or
• you have a non Intel-based Macintosh with ‘emulation software’.
  Depending on your personal circumstances, ‘emulation software’ or ‘Windows’ operating system acquired for this purpose may be tax deductible.
• If you have simple tax affairs this year, you may be able to:
• use the phone lodgment service for the cost of a local call, or
• find out if you are eligible and use our free Tax Help program provided by community volunteers (this service is available from 1 July to 31 October).
• All Tax Office shopfronts will have a computer terminal available from 1 July 2009 until at least 26 February 2010, for clients to lodge their income tax return or baby bonus claim using e-tax. The use of e-tax terminals in Tax Office shopfronts is by appointment only. An appointment can be made by phoning 13 28 61.
   
• TaxPack is available from newsagents, Tax Office shopfronts or can be downloaded from our website. You can also order a copy using our online products ordering service.