Australian Taxation Office - Resources
Key web pages and entry points for the Australian Taxation Office
ABN - Apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number)
An ABN (Australian Business Number) is an 11 digit identifier that makes it easier for businesses and all levels of government to interact. You do not have to have an ABN, but having one will avoid having amounts withheld from payments to you; and make it easier to register for GST and other business tax registrations such as PAYG withholding. You can apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) or access and update your ABN details online.
ABN - apply for an Australian Business Number
An ABN (Australian Business Number) is an 11 digit identifier that makes it easier for businesses and all levels of government to interact. You do not have to have an ABN, but having one will avoid having amounts withheld from payments to you; and make it easier to register for GST and other business tax registrations such as PAYG withholding. You can apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) or access and update your ABN details online.
ABN essentials
Australian Taxation Office information about the Australian Business Number (ABN), a single identifier for all business dealings with the tax office and for dealings with other government departments and agencies.
Australian Taxation Office annual report
Index page to the Australian Taxation Office annual reports. Reports are available in PDF format.
Business Portal essentials
The Business Portal is a secure website for managing your business tax affairs, protected by online security credentials - AUSkey and ATO digital certificates. You can use the Business Portal to view your statement of account, update contact details, prepare and lodge reports like activity statements and communicate with us through a secure mailbox.
Businesses
Links to the Australian Taxation Office index page for businesses which provides tax information for businesses including resources and services and other key tax issues.
Change job status essentials
Australian Taxation Office Information page which provides assistance and information for people who are starting, leaving or changing jobs.
Choosing a super fund
Many employees are now able to choose the super fund or retirement savings account (RSA) that will receive their super contributions under the superannuation guarantee. This Australian Taxation Office page provides further information for employees.
Deductions essentials
Australian Taxation office information to help identify what can be claimed to reduce taxable income.
Departing Australia superannuation information for temporary residents
Provides Information about access to superannuation benefits for temporary residents in Australia.
Difficulty in paying your tax debt (individual clients)
Australian Taxation Office explanation for individual taxpayers on how to pay your tax debt and what to do if you have difficulties in paying the tax debt.
Employer essentials
Links to the ATO Employer essentials page which provides useful links that will assist employers to meet their Commonwealth tax and superannuation obligations.
Employers superannuation essentials
Links to an ATO page designed to assist employers meet their superannuation obligations. Includes links to further information.
Excise essentials
Excise duty is a tax on certain types of goods produced or manufactured in Australia. These excisable goods include alcohol, tobacco and petroleum and alternative fuels. This page from the Australian Taxation Office provides links to information on excise.
Exempt foreign employment income
If you are an Australian resident working overseas, this will help you to work out whether or not your income is exempt from income tax in Australia.
Fuel schemes essentials
This site gives an overview of how businesses can cut their fuel costs by registering for fuel tax credits. The site also provides useful links and information that will assist employers in completing the fuel tax credit labels on their business activity statements.
Guide to dealing with disasters
Information from the Australian Taxation Office for people and businesses affected by natural disaster.
Individual income tax rates
Shows the percentage of tax payable for each income bracket, for individual Australian taxpayers, for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Individuals
Australian Taxation Office index page for Individuals. Provides links to tax information for new and existing taxpayers. Links to e-tax, the TaxPack, a deductions list and key tax information.
Lodgment essentials
Australian Taxation office information for individuals, migrants and overseas visitors about lodging a tax return.
Medicare levy essentials
Information for individuals about the Medicare levy and the Medicare levy surcharge.
Non-profit organisations
Links to the Australian Taxation Office index page for non-profit organisations which provides a guide to tax issues affecting organisations such as charities, clubs, societies and associations.
Not-for-profit reforms
Information on key reforms for the non-profit sector, including reforms announced in the 2011-12 Budget.
Payment and refund essentials
Provides information regarding payments to the Tax Office and tax refund guidelines.
Pensioners and senior Australians
Assistance and general tax information including details regarding offsets for senior Australians, mature workers and pensioners.
Private health insurance rebate and Medicare levy surcharge
From 1 July 2012, an individual's entitlement to a private health insurance rebate will be income tested. These changes are for the 2012-13 financial year.
Property - tax information
Your home is generally exempt from tax. If you have an investment property, build or renovate for profit, or use a property in the running of a business, there may be implications for income tax, capital gains tax and goods and services tax (GST).
Searching for lost super (PDF 269 KB)
Form for searching for your lost superannuation.
Super co-contributions
The Australian Government assists eligible individuals to save for their retirement through the Super Co-contribution. If you are eligible and make personal super contributions, the Government will match your contribution with a Super Co-contribution up to certain limits.
SuperSeeker lost superannuation search
Do you have any lost superannuation? You can use the SuperSeeker tool to look for lost super in real time.
SuperSeeker search
SuperSeeker is a tool that will look for your lost superannuation in real time and instantly provide you with possible matches.
Superannuation - Departing Australia
If you are a former temporary resident, you can claim super benefits you accumulated while working in Australia. To claim the Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) you must have visited on an eligible temporary resident visa (which has expired or been cancelled), and permanently departed Australia.
Superannuation - departing Australia
If you are a former temporary resident, you can claim super benefits you accumulated while working in Australia. To claim the Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) you must have visited on an eligible temporary resident visa (which has expired or been cancelled), and permanently departed Australia.
Superannuation essentials
Australian Taxation Office homepage for superannuation. Contains key superannuation information such as reporting and lodgment dates and the Register of Complying Superannuation Funds. Resources and services include online services, calculators and superannuation law.
Tax migrants or visitors tax file number application
If you are a temporary visitor or permanent migrant, you can apply for a tax file number (TFN) online. Applications can be made at any time if you are in Australia and you have a visa that allows work rights, a visa that allows permanent migration, or a valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.
Tax - change of name, address, date of birth or gender
You can update your name, address, date of birth or gender details held by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for income tax purposes. Print off the form to complete your details and send via post; update them over the phone; or visit an ATO shopfront.
Tax - download 2012 tax return program
Download 2012 tax return preparation software, e-tax.
Tax - download e-tax and complete your tax return
e-tax is a free and secure service provided by the Tax Office. Download e-tax to prepare and lodge your individual tax return or baby bonus claim online.
Tax - free help with your tax return
If you are on a low income and want some free help filling out your tax return the Australian Taxation Office trained Tax Help volunteers may be able to assist you. Tax Help is only available from July to October each year.
Tax - leaving Australia and lodging your tax return
If you are leaving Australia before the end of the financial year, you may be eligible to lodge your tax return early.
Tax - migrants or visitors - tax file number application
If you are a temporary visitor or permanent migrant, you can apply for a tax file number (TFN) online. Applications can be made at any time if you are in Australia and you have a visa that allows work rights, a visa that allows permanent migration, or a valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.
Tax - personal income tax-related enquiry service
You can get help with your taxes either by contacting the Tax Office by phone or by visiting a Tax Office shopfront.
Tax File Number essentials
Australian Taxation office information about tax file numbers (TFNs) for individuals including what they are used for and how to obtain one.
Tax information in other languages
Provides links to taxation Australian Taxation office information available in languages other than English.
Tax relief available for people affected by the drought
The Taxation Office is providing assistance to people who are finding it difficult to pay their tax debts due to the impacts of the drought on their income. Assistance is available to farmers and other taxpayers whose income is derived from drought affected areas.
Tax withheld calculator
The Tax Withheld Calculator enables employers and other withholding payers to calculate the tax to be withheld from payments made to their employees and other workers.
Tax-change of name or address advice for individuals
You can update your name and/or address details held by the Tax office for income tax purposes. You will need to download and complete a Change of name and address advice for individuals form. You can also update your name and/or address details over the phone.
TaxPack essentials
TaxPacks are designed to help people complete the tax return for individuals. The guide includes Australian Taxation office information about the TaxPack, TaxPack supplement and TaxPack for retirees.
Transition to retirement
Under the transition to retirement rules, if you have reached your preservation age, you may be able to reduce your working hours without reducing your income. You can do this by topping up your part-time income with a regular 'income stream' from your super savings.
Youth - ATO
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) page for young people, with links to information about tax returns, tax file numbers, payments and refunds, and superannuation.