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Introduction

Last updated 30 October 2005

Information about how to claim tax deductions for depreciating assets and other capital expenditure 2003-04

Our commitment to you

The information in this publication is current at May 2004 and we have made every effort to ensure it is accurate. However, if something in the publication is wrong or misleading and you make a mistake as a result, you will not be charged a penalty. You may have to pay interest, depending on the circumstances of your case.

You are protected under GST law if you have acted on any GST information in this publication. If you have relied on GST advice in this Tax Office publication and that advice has later changed, you will not have to pay any extra GST for the period up to the date of the change. Similarly, you will not have to pay any penalties or interest.

If you feel this publication does not fully cover your circumstances, please seek help from the Tax Office or a professional adviser. Since we regularly revise our publications to take account of any changes to the law, you should make sure this edition is the latest. The easiest way to do this is by checking for a more recent version on our website at www.ato.gov.au

Your rights

It is important that you are aware of your rights and obligations when dealing with the Tax Office. These are explained in the Taxpayer's charter, along with the service and other standards you can expect from the Tax Office. To obtain a printed copy of the Taxpayers' Charter - what you need to know (NAT 2548), phone our distribution service on 1300 720 092.

How self-assessment affects you

Self-assessment means the Tax Office uses the information you give on your tax return to work out your refund or tax debt. You are required by law to make sure you have shown all your assessable income and claimed only the deductions and tax offsets to which you are entitled. The Tax Office does not take any responsibility for checking the accuracy of the details you provide in your tax return. However, at a later date the Tax Office may examine the details contained in your tax return more thoroughly by reviewing specific parts, or by conducting an audit on your tax affairs.

What are your responsibilities?

It is your responsibility to lodge a tax return that is signed, complete and correct. Even if someone else - including a tax agent - helps you to prepare your tax return, you are still legally responsible for the accuracy of your information.

What if you lodge an incorrect tax return?

Our audit programs are designed to continually check for missing, inaccurate or incomplete information. If you become aware that your tax return is incorrect, you must contact us straight away.

Initiatives to complement self-assessment

There are a number of initiatives administered by the Tax Office which complement self-assessment. Examples include:

  • if you take reasonable care with your tax affairs, you will not receive a penalty for honest mistakes - but please note that a general interest charge on omitted income or over claimed deductions and tax offsets could still be payable
  • the process for applying for private rulings
  • your entitlement to interest on early payment or overpayment of a tax debt, or the process for applying for an amendment if you find you have left something out of your tax return.

Do you need to ask for a private ruling?

If you have a concern about the way a tax law applies to your personal tax affairs, you may want to ask for a private ruling.

A private ruling will relate just to your situation. Write to the Tax Office describing your situation in detail and ask for advice.

To do this, complete an Application for a private ruling for individuals (NAT 4106 - 3.2001). You should lodge your tax return by the due date, even if you are waiting for the reply to your private ruling. You may need to request an amendment to your tax return once you have received the private ruling.

The Tax Office publishes on its website all private rulings issued. What we publish will not contain anything which could identify you.

You can ask for a review of a private ruling decision if you disagree with it, even if you have not received your assessment. Details of the review procedures are sent to you when the private ruling decision is made. For more information on private rulings, visit the Tax Office website at www.ato.gov.au

This publication is available free from the Tax Office. We prohibit any party from selling it.

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