Tax Help – myTax and lodging online

myGov

myGov is a secure website run by Services Australia. It allows access to a range of government services in one place, including ATO online services.

Tax Help prefers that taxpayers have a myGov account linked to ATO online services. If a taxpayer doesn't have a myGov account, you can help them create a myGov accountExternal Link and link it to ATO. They will need a unique email address that they use alone.

Tax Help volunteers must not create an email address on behalf of a taxpayer.

To create a myGov account, the taxpayer will need access to their email to receive their myGov authentication code.

For further information, see Detailed steps on how to create a myGov accountExternal Link.

Most taxpayers will have enough information to link their myGov account to the ATO. If not, contact the Tax Help hotline to get a myGov linking code. The taxpayer must prove their identity before the officer can issue the code.

Alternate Access Process

Alternate Access Process (AAP) is an alternate pathway to ATO online services.

AAP should only be used when the taxpayer is unable to:

• create or access their myGov account, or
• link myGov to ATO online services.

You'll be given more information on the AAP before the start of the Tax Help program.

myGov linking codes and THV access codes

Some people will have difficulty linking their myGov to the ATO. They may need either a:

• myGov linking code – to link myGov to the ATO
• THV access code – to access their ATO online services account without a myGov account.

You'll need to phone the Tax Help hotline to be issued a code. Following these steps will improve the call centre experience and help you to get linking and access codes.

Important things to remember:

• always identify yourself as a Tax Help volunteer
• be clear about why you are phoning – do you need a myGov linking code or a THV access code
• don’t end the phone call until you have access to the taxpayer's online account or the taxpayer has linked their myGov to the ATO.

myGov linking code

The myGov linking code is for people who have a myGov account but are unable to link the account to the ATO because they are either:

• new to the tax system
• don't have enough information on their ATO record to answer 2 questions specific to them – for example, first time lodgers and people new to Australia.

THV access code

The THV access code is for people who:

• don't have a myGov account
• for whom you are unable to create a myGov account
• don't have or remember their myGov login
• are unsuccessful linking myGov to the ATO.

myTax

myTax is a web-based program that is accessed through myGov.

Tax Help volunteers use myTax to lodge taxpayers tax returns online. Lodging online with myTax is the quick, safe and secure way for you to prepare and lodge tax returns.

Watch the 'how to' videos below to see how to use myTax:

• Link your myGov account to the ATOExternal Link
• A quick demonstration of lodging with myTaxExternal Link
• How to personalise your myTax returnExternal Link
• How to add and review deductions in myTaxExternal Link.

myTax uses pre-fill information to complete some sections in the tax return with information we receive from third parties. If pre-fill information is incorrectly edited or deleted, the tax return may be adjusted after lodgment, resulting in a different tax estimate from the notice of assessment.

ATO online services simulator

During this training you will use the ATO online services simulatorExternal Link to familiarise yourself with myTax.

As you work through the training, enter different amounts or responses and watch what happens in the tax return.

You'll be taken through the topics you can help with. Keep the simulator open on your desktop and follow the steps.

To open the simulator:

• in the form field Tell us about you, select Tax Help volunteer
• select, scenario 1 Lodge tax returns with no pre-fill data, transfer super
• select Start.

To move between screens, use the ‘Next’ and ‘Back’ buttons in the simulator.

The home screen shows tax returns that are due or overdue. Generally you will be lodging the current year tax return. You should point out overdue returns and encourage lodgment of these returns.

To open a tax return, click ‘Lodge’ next to the year the client wishes to lodge.

We recommend that you practice using the simulator to gain confidence before you see clients.

Does the taxpayer need to lodge a tax return?

Before starting, check whether the taxpayer needs to lodge a tax return.

Some people may be unsure whether they need to lodge a tax return and will ask you to check for them.

During the Tax Help interview use the online tool Do I need to lodge a tax return? to determine whether a tax return is required.

There are many reasons why someone would need to lodge a tax return. Go through the questions in the online tool with the taxpayer. If any of the reasons apply, they'll need to lodge a tax return.

If a taxpayer doesn't need to lodge a tax return, they should lodge a non-lodgment advice.

Activity

Open the Do I need to lodge a tax return? and enter information from the case study below. Does James or Judy need to lodge a tax return?

Activity answer

James does need to lodge a tax return. He has 2 types of income. Tax has been withheld from both. Reason 1 applies to James.

Judy doesn't need to lodge a tax return. She has income of only $375 for the year (her half of the interest from their joint bank account).

None of the reasons apply to Judy. However, she'll need to complete a non-lodgment advice.

Non-lodgment advice

A non-lodgment advice for 2000 and later, can be lodged online. If the taxpayer doesn't have a myGov account, help them create one and link to ATO online.

To lodge a non-lodgment advice:

1. access the taxpayer's ATO online account
2. from the menu select Tax
3. from the drop-down menu select Lodgments
4. select Non-lodgment advice
5. choose the year or years the client needs to lodge a non-lodgment advice
6. if applicable select I do not need to lodge future income tax returns
7. select the checkbox to sign the declaration
8. select Submit.

If the taxpayer is unable to access ATO online with myGov, use the Alternate Access Process (AAP).

First-time lodgers

First-time lodgers usually need more help to get started.

You should try and assist first-time lodgers without a myGov account to create an account and link to the ATO.

If your taxpayer is a first-time lodger and has:

• a myGov account linked to ATO online – sign in and start the tax return
• a myGov account not linked to ATO online – phone the Tax Help hotline for a linking code
• no myGov account – create a myGov account and phone the Tax Help hotline for a linking code
• been unable to create a myGov account, use the AAP.

When you call, inform the Frontline officer that you're a Tax Help volunteer, and the taxpayer is a first-time lodger who needs a myGov linking code.

The Tax Help centre will have informed the taxpayer to bring documents to prove their identity with them when the appointment was made. If they can't prove their identity, you may be able to access the client's account with the AAP.

Amendments

Tax Help volunteers can help lodge an online amendment to their 2015 or later tax return.

There is a time limit for lodging an amendment. For taxpayers with simple affairs, they have 2 years from the day after they receive the notice of assessment for the relevant income year to lodge an amendment. If it's outside this time limit, they will need to lodge an objection.

Help with amendments is limited to:

• the item being amended must be an item with which a Tax Help volunteer can help
• the taxpayer must have supporting evidence, such as an updated payment summary or receipts for expenses.

To lodge an amendment:

1. access the ATO online account
2. select Manage tax returns from the quick link
3. select Amend next to the income year you want to amend.

Refund of franking credits

Tax Help volunteers can help taxpayers apply for a refund of franking credits (RFC) online. When you lodge online, we pre-fill the personal details and dividend records. Check the information and add any missing details before you submit the application.

For taxpayers lodging a tax return, any refund of franking credits claim is included in the tax return.

To lodge a refund of franking credits:

1. access the taxpayer's ATO online account
2. select Tax from the menu at the top of the screen
3. select Lodgments
4. select Refund of franking credits.

When you lodge a refund of franking credits application, ensure the Tax Help volunteer and centre ID fields are completed.

To use the application for a refund of franking credits, the client must meet all the following criteria:

• They were an Australian resident for tax purposes.
• They do not have to lodge a tax return.
• Their total dividend income was either
  • $18,200 or less
  • $416 or less, if they were under 18 years old on 30 June of the relevant income year.
• They either
  • received dividends from shares (or non-share equity interests) in an Australian or New Zealand company
  • were entitled to distributions from investments in a managed fund.
• Their dividend or distribution statement shows either
  • franking credits – statements from New Zealand companies must show Australian franking credits (New Zealand imputation credits don't qualify)
  • amounts withheld from your dividends because you didn't provide your tax file number (TFN).

Other online help

For more help on topics covered in this training material, you can use the resources listed below.

Notice of assessment

A notice of assessment is an itemised statement issued when a tax return or franking credits lodgment is processed. The notice of assessment can be accessed from the taxpayer's ATO online services account. When it is ready, a message will be sent to the taxpayer's myGov inbox.

The details on the notice of assessment can be used to verify the taxpayer’s identity when lodging the tax return online. It's also useful for taxpayer identification when you request a myGov linking code or AAP access code.

When people make a Tax Help appointment, they are reminded to bring their previous years’ notice of assessment.

Prior year tax returns

Tax returns for 2014 to 2021 can be lodged in ATO online. There are limitations to the 2014 and 2015 tax returns as not all labels appear in these online tax returns. Check the taxpayer can use the return before continuing:

• myTax 2014 eligibility
• myTax 2015 eligibility.

For myTax 2016 and later years, there are no limitations.

You can't lodge tax returns for 2013 or earlier online. Access forms for these years at Prior years individuals tax return forms and schedules. Select the relevant income year and follow the instructions to download the tax return.

You can download the Individual tax return, the supplementary tax return and instructions. When you have completed the tax return, write on the front:

• Tax Help
• your Tax Help volunteer ID number
• Tax Help centre ID
• Highlight and attach the disclaimer.

Viewing and printing your tax return or notice of assessment

Taxpayers can view their tax return and notice of assessment at any time in ATO online. To view a tax return online:

1. access the taxpayer's ATO online account
2. select Tax from the menu at the top of the screen
3. select Lodgments
4. select Income Tax.

Taxpayers can also view their non-lodgment advice or refund of franking credits.

Notices of assessments can be viewed from the taxpayer's myGov Inbox.

As taxpayers can view their tax return online at any time, copies of lodged returns are not provided by Tax Help. Taxpayers can print their tax return from ATO online.

Alternatively, they can phone us on 13 28 61 for a copy of their tax return, non-lodgment advice, refund of franking credits or notice of assessment.

 

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