Now is an ideal time to complete your tax return for a nice refund, as well as prepare to maximise your claim for the current financial year. As Australians, we take pride in doing things ourselves. But what if doing it yourself meant you potentially miss out on thousands of dollars? Here we discuss how working with a professional tax accountant could benefit you.
Larger refund
For starters, unless you’re a tax expert, it is unlikely you know everything you’re eligible to claim. Many occupations have specific items that are tax-deductible, as do some investment options such as investment properties. In fact, you can even claim your handbag if it is used solely for work.
A tax account lives and breathes tax. It’s their job to know exactly what you can and can’t claim, as well as get you the best return possible. Much like you’d see a mechanic to service your car, or a medical specialist for a health issue, a tax accountant is an expert in tax. It’s in their best interest to help you get as much back as possible.
A good accountant will take the time to understand your employment, business and investments to identify claimable expenses. While not every expense can be claimed as a tax deduction and some may only be $10 here and $200 there, everything adds up. Using a tax accountant to find the expenses you might not be aware of means you could end up with thousands back in your pocket.
Less stress
The last thing anyone wants is the worry and administration of being subject to an audit. But if you lodge your tax return yourself, you take full responsibility. Even if you make an innocent or small mistake, if you are audited you will be faced with paying fines, interest or other penalties.
If you’ve ever been audited, you’ll know how stressful it can be. By using a professional tax accountant, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing your return has been accurately prepared in compliance with tax laws.
Reduce future tax liability
By building a long term relationship with your tax accountant, they’ll be able to provide you with strategic tax advice to minimise the tax you pay in the future.
Over the course of your career you’ll earn millions of dollars. You’ll also likely pay millions of dollars in tax. You work hard for your money, so it makes sense to put strategies in place to make the most of it. It could be as simple as putting more into super, or as complex as reorganising your business structures. Either way, a solid plan could save you hundreds of thousands in future tax dollars.
Look for an accountant who really invests the time to get to know you, your business and what you want out of life in the future. Someone who takes a holistic approach to all facets of your life and presents creative, out of the box solutions to give you a financial edge.