This Tax Time the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is helping the community to get their tax right through pop-up shops around the country. Building on the success of previous years, the ATO will host 35 pop-ups in major shopping centres, community hubs and even a metro train station.
The ATO will be at Stockland Traralgon Shopping Centre with a pop-up shop on 30 August - 1 September.
Assistant Commissioner Kath Anderson said popups are a face-to-face service providing advice and on the spot demonstrations to help people gain confidence using the ATO’s digital products and services.
"Getting your tax right can be difficult sometimes. That’s why we’re getting out in the local community. We want everyone to feel confident using our online products and services, regardless of whether you use an agent or lodge your own return," Ms Anderson said.
Ms Anderson said if you are planning to prepare your own return this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn about ATO’s online lodgement tool, myTax, and other online services to help you manage your tax and super affairs, including our myDeductions tool in the ATO app.
"MyTax is streamlined and personalised to your tax affairs, making it suitable for anyone who wants to lodge their own tax return. MyDeductions allows you to snap, save and store your individual income tax deductions in one convenient place. It is a great way to keep track of your expenses without having to worry about lost and faded receipts."
But popups aren’t just about tax returns and deductions. Ms Anderson said that the ATO’s digital services also provide a variety of other benefits.
"When you visit, we will be able to show you how to use the range of online services and teach you how to do things like set up a myGov account, download the ATO app, find your lost super, lodge and revise activity statements and view your study and training support loan. And if you have already lodged, we can show you how to check the progress of your return.
Ms Anderson said a great feature of popups is that you don’t need an appointment.
"We deliberately set up our popups in places where you will see us as you go about your day. Just drop in and we’ll be happy to answer your questions."
Pop-ups commenced 2 July and end 22 September. Find your nearest pop-up shop at www.ato.gov.au/popup
Thursday, 30 August to Saturday, 1 September 2018
30/08/2018: 9.00am – 6.00pm
31/08/2018: 9.00am – 9.00pm
1/09/2018: 9.00am – 5.00pm ---
