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FAQs

All common questions which a tax client may ask before booking an appointment with us.

Thinking About Booking Your Tax Appointment ?

Here’s What Most Clients Ask Us First. 

Before locking in a time, it’s totally normal to have a few questions. Here are some of the most common ones we get — and the answers to help you feel prepped and confident.

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Common Client Queries
1. What is the tax return process ?

Here’s what you can expect now that your appointment is booked:

Step 1: Appointment Booked – You’re In! 
You’ve successfully scheduled your tax consultation — great start!​
 If you’re a new client, keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll send you a Pre-Tax Consultation Form to  complete before your session.

Step 2: Phone Consultation 
At your booked time, one of our tax consultants will call you directly.​
We’ll: 
● Review your income and deductions 
● Go through any additional questions 
● Provide a personalised Tax Return Estimate 
No need to visit an office — it’s all handled over the phone.

Step 3: Pay Your Invoice Online 
If you’re happy with the consultation and your tax refund estimate, we’ll send the invoice right  away — no need to wait for the full return to be prepared. 
You can pay securely online over the phone with a few clicks. 
✅ And yes — our fee is fully tax-deductible next year! 
The sooner you pay, the sooner we can move straight to preparing and lodging your return.

Step 4: E-sign Your Tax Return 
You’ll receive a copy of your return to review within 24-48 hours. ​
Happy with everything? Just e-sign it from your device — no printing needed.

Step 5: Receive Your Tax Refund (Usually Within 7 Days*) 
Once lodged, most refunds are processed by the ATO within 7–10 business days.​
We’ll keep you posted the entire way.

It depends on how simple or complex your return is.

Here’s a general guide: 
● Standard salary-only return: From $129 + gst – $150 + gst  
● If you have extras (like ABN, rental property, share trading, or crypto): From $180–$350+,depending on the scope

But don’t worry — we’ll always:​
 ✅ Give you an upfront estimate based on what you tell us​
 ✅ Confirm the final fee at the end of the consultation.​
 ✅ Offer transparent pricing with no surprise add-ons

💡 TIP: Keep your receipts and invoices — our fee is tax deductible next year!

We know tax time can get hectic — so we keep things flexible!

Our standard appointment hours are: 
● Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM 
● Extended hours (peak season – For July/August): Saturday 10am – 5pm.

Prefer an after-hours chat? Just let us know — we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

📅 Tip: Spots fill up fast during July–September, so the earlier you book, the more options you’ll have!

Most of our consultations are done over the phone — simple, quick, and no need to leave the  house!​
Once you book, your consultant will call you at your scheduled time and guide you though everything step-by-step.

● Phone consults are available for both domestic and international. 
● No special software needed — just have your phone ready!

Yes — we accept walk-ins during business hours. But heads up:

● Wait times may vary 
● Booked clients will be prioritised 
● You may still be asked to complete a quick pre-consultation form

🗓️ To skip the wait, we always recommend booking ahead — especially during peak tax season!

Yes — your first 15-minute phone consultation is completely free.

During this session, we will: 
● Review your income and basic deductions 
● Check your ATO pre-fill data (if available) 
● Provide you with a tax refund estimate 
● Walk you through the next steps if you choose to proceed

There’s no obligation to lodge — it’s a chance to understand your situation and get expert guidance 
before committing. 
💡 If you’re happy with the estimate, you can proceed by paying the invoice and we’ll begin preparing your return right away .

Yes — we accept walk-ins during business hours. But heads up:

● Wait times may vary 
● Booked clients will be prioritised 
● You may still be asked to complete a quick pre-consultation form

🗓️ To skip the wait, we always recommend booking ahead — especially during peak tax season!

No stress — the 15-minute consult is designed to cover the basics and give you a solid starting point. 
If your situation is more complex (e.g. ABN income, rental property, shares, crypto, or multiple jobs)

Here’s what will happen: 
● Your consultant will focus on reviewing your TFN-linked income (like salary, interest, etc.) 
● You’ll receive a refund estimate based on that information only 
● After the call, your consultant will send you a secure Tax Document Collection link​

 This is where you’ll upload any extra documents needed (e.g. ABN invoices, rental summaries, trading reports) 
Once those documents are received, our team will finalise your full return and send it for your review and e-signing.

✅ No follow-up consultation is usually needed — we’ll keep it smooth and efficient from here.

The free 15-minute consultation is a one-time service designed to help you: 
● Understand your refund estimate 
● Ask general questions 
● Decide whether you’d like to proceed 

If you’ve already used your free session and need further assistance, there’s no need to rebook — just email info@nextgenteam.com.au and our admin team will guide you on next steps. 
 
 ✅ If you’re ready to proceed, simply pay your invoice and upload any remaining documents — we’ll handle the rest!

No worries — if you miss your scheduled consultation or the call doesn’t come through, you’ll automatically receive a phone reschedule link via SMS or email shortly after.

We’re glad you’re lodging as a couple —  but we highly recommend booking two separate appointments, even if you’re married or in a de facto relationship. 
Why?
 Each person’s tax return is lodged individually, and your consultant needs enough time to: 
● Review your personal income and deductions 
● Check spouse income and dependent details for offsets and Medicare levy purposes 
● Ask the right questions for your specific situation

🕒 Booking separate time slots ensures: 
● You each get proper attention 
● There’s no rush or missed deductions 
● A smoother, more accurate result for both returns 
If you’d like back-to-back appointments, just let us know — we’ll do our best to line them up for you!

Yes — absolutely! 
Even if you’ve left the country, if you earned income in Australia during the financial year (e.g. through work, ABN, or investments), you’re still required to lodge a tax return. 

We can help you lodge from anywhere in the world — all we need is: 
● Your TFN and basic details 
● Access to your ATO records (we’ll retrieve these once you complete the Tax Agent Appointment Form) 
● Any income or deduction info you may have from that year 

📩 Everything is done remotely via phone and email, including your consultation, document upload, and e-signature. 
 
Just book a consultation or email info@nextgenteam.com.au to get started — we’ll take care of the rest, no matter where you are!

You don’t need everything upfront — but if you want to get ahead, here’s a quick prep list:

● Income details: salary, ABN, investments, Centrelink, etc. 
● Details of shares and crypto (transaction details, if sold)  
● Dividends or Interest received, if any  
● Rental Income and expenses  
● Records of deductions (work-related expenses, car use, donations) 
● Private health insurance details (if applicable) 
● Spouse income and dependent info (helps us calculate Medicare and offsets)

Do not have everything before the appointment? Don’t worry, we will also send a secure Tax Documents Collection link if you prefer to upload things after the consultations

No stress. You can still book in — just let us know what you’re waiting on (like your payment summary, share report, or crypto transaction log). We’ll create your job and follow up when needed. The goal is to start early and avoid the rush!

If you’re an existing client, we’ve already got your details on file — your consultant will simply confirm that everything is up to date during your session. 

If you’re a new client, you’ll need to complete a quick pre-consultation form before your  appointment. Make sure you have your Tax File Number (TFN) ready — this allows us to securely retrieve your ATO data. 

⚠️ Heads up: If your ATO prefill data isn’t available yet, we may need to reschedule your appointment to ensure everything is accurate.

If you’re a new client, you’ll receive a Tax Agent Appointment Form before we get started. This form gives us the authority to act on your behalf with the ATO — meaning we can legally access your prefill data, lodge your return, and speak to the ATO if needed.

It also helps us collect: 
● Your basic details (address, DOB, TFN) 
● Bank account for any refund 
● Residency status (for Medicare levy and threshold purposes) 
● A quick photo ID check to keep everything secure 
Once you submit the form, you’re officially on our system and we can kick off your tax return.

✅ Returning client? No need to fill it again — unless your details have changed.

Yes — we use secure, encrypted systems to collect and store your personal information. Your data is: 

● Collected via a secure online form (not email) 
● Stored in compliance with Australian Privacy Laws 
● Only accessible by our authorised tax team 

🛡️ We take client privacy and ATO compliance seriusly —  and we never share your data with third parties.

We completely understand if you’re still exploring your options — no pressure at all. 

Just a heads-up though:​
To give you a detailed tax estimate, access your ATO pre-fill info, or confirm what deductions or 
offsets apply — we do need your Tax File Number (TFN) and ID via the Tax Agent Appointment Form. 

It’s part of ATO compliance and ensures: 
● Your records are safely retrieved 
● Your data is matched correctly 
● We don’t give advice based on guesswork 

💡 Still unsure?​
We’re happy to have a general discussion about your situation, pricing, and process first — no TFN needed for that chat. 
When you’re ready to proceed, we can send you the secure form then. Easy!

1. When will I receive my tax refund?

The ATO generally processes refunds within 7–10 business days after lodgment.
We’ll notify you once your return has been submitted — and if there are any delays, we’ll follow up.

Yes — just email us at tax@nextgenteam.com.au and quote your Job Number.
We’ll email you a PDF copy of your lodged tax return and assessment once available.

Yes — we can lodge an amendment with the ATO.
Email tax@nextgenteam.com.au with your Job Number and what needs updating. We’ll check whether an amendment is required and advise on next steps.

Once a return is lodged, we can’t change the bank details with the ATO.
If the refund bounces back, the ATO will issue a cheque or contact you directly.

💡 Tip: Make sure your bank details in the Tax Agent Form are correct before lodging!

Sometimes the ATO makes changes (e.g. to HECS/HELP repayments, Centrelink offsets, or Medicare levies).
If this happens:

  • You’ll get a Notice of Assessment explaining the changes
  • Forward it to us with your Job Number, and we’ll explain what happened and what to do next

Common reasons include:

  • ATO reviewing your deductions (especially WFH, crypto, or rental claims)
  • You have prior-year returns still outstanding
  • Identity checks or data mismatches

✅ Don’t panic — reviews are common. Just email us your Job Number and we’ll follow up for you.

1. I’ve completed the phone consultation — what happens next?

Great! You’re almost there —  here’s what to expect after your call: 

1.Clear your invoice​
 Once you’re happy with your consultation and refund estimate, we’ll send you the invoice.​
Prompt payment = we can start working on your return right away. 

2.Submit your documents​
 If your consultant requested additional documents (e.g. for ABN, rental, shares, or crypto), you’ll receive a secure Tax Document Upload link.​
Upload everything as soon as you can — the clock starts once we have all required info. 

3.We’ll prepare your return 
● For simple returns (e.g. salary, interest, basic deductions), your return will usually be ready within 2-3 business days.
● For more complex returns (ABN, CGT, rental, or crypto), allow up to 5 business days from the time we receive all your documents. 

4. Review & e-sign​
 Once ready, we’ll email your return for review. You’ll sign it electronically — quick, easy, no printing. 
Then we lodge, and your refund is on its way!

No stress — and no need to book another consultation.

Your consultant may be busy with other appointments, so the best way to update us is to simply:

Email your additional info to: tax@nextgenteam.com.au
and include your Job Number in the subject line or email.

This helps us quickly match your file and make any necessary updates before lodgement.

Once we receive your email, our team will review it and ensure everything is included in your return.

That’s okay — it happens!

If you’re missing a document or can’t locate something your consultant requested:

  1. Let us know by emailing tax@nextgenteam.com.au and include your Job Number
  2. Tell us what you’re having trouble finding
  3. We’ll guide you on:
    • Whether we can proceed without it
    • If there’s an alternative we can use
    • Or how to retrieve it from MyGov, your bank, employer, or another source

Don’t delay your return — we’ll help you work around it or pause the lodgment until you’re ready.

Great question — and totally normal in our process. 

Here’s how it works: 
●Your initial phone consultation is with one of our qualified tax consultants who reviews your 
situation and gives you a refund estimate. 
●After that, your file moves to our processing team, who prepare the actual return, cross-check ATO data, and ensure all required documents are collected. 

So if someone else reaches out — don’t worry!​
They’re part of our team, working behind the scenes to complete your return accurately and efficiently. 

✅ Just make sure to reply to that email with your Job Number, and they’ll take care of the rest.

We’re a team effort — and that’s a good thing.

To give you the smoothest, fastest tax experience possible, your return will pass through a few specialist hands. Here’s who does what:

1. Tax Consultant (You spoke with us!)

This is the person who:

  • Reviews your income, deductions, and residency status
  • Provides your refund estimate
  • Advises on what documents you need to provide
  • Answers your questions during the consultation

🛎️ They get the ball rolling.

2. Tax Processing Team

After your consultation, your file is handed to our processing team — they:

  • Collect any outstanding documents
  • Prepare your return based on ATO data and your info
  • Email you with follow-up questions or missing details
  • Finalise the return for your review and e-signature

📬 If you hear from someone new — it’s likely them!
Just reply with your Job Number, and they’ll keep things moving.

3. Lodgment & Review Team

Once you approve and sign your return:

  • We lodge it with the ATO
  • Monitor its progress
  • Follow up if anything needs clarification
  • Let you know when your refund is on the way

✅ You’re supported every step of the way — no need to chase!

Once your return is lodged, most clients receive their tax refund within 7–10 business days from the ATO.

However, this can vary depending on:

  • Lodgment volume (July–August is peak season)
  • Whether your return is flagged for review or audit
  • Outstanding debts (e.g. Centrelink, HELP/HECS, ATO debts)
  • Bank detail mismatches or ID verification issues

Want it faster?
Make sure you’ve:

  • Paid your invoice
  • Submitted all requested documents
  • Reviewed and e-signed your tax return

Once that’s done — we’ll lodge promptly with the ATO.

Once your return is ready, we’ll send it to you for review and e-signing via Xero Practice Manager (XPM) — our secure tax platform.

🔄 Here’s how it works:

  1. Check your inbox
    You’ll receive an email from Xero with the subject line:
    🟦 “[Your Name], please review and sign your tax return.”
  2. Click the secure link
    You’ll be taken to a secure online page where you can:
  • Review your full tax return summary
  • Electronically sign the return — no printing needed
  1. Download a copy
    Before or after signing, you can download and save a PDF copy of your return for your own records directly from the portal.
  2. We take care of the rest
    Once signed, we’ll lodge your return with the ATO and keep you updated on your refund progress.
1. I’m new to Australia / just started working — can I still lodge a tax return?

Absolutely! If you arrived during the financial year, we’ll apply the part-year tax-free threshold for you. Just let us know:

  • When you arrived in Australia
  • Your visa status (student, working holiday, graduate, etc.)
  • Whether you’ve applied for or received permanent residency (PR)

We’ll tailor your return based on your residency status — and can even help with Medicare Levy Exemption certificates if you’re eligible.

In Australia, tax returns are lodged individually — even if you’re married or in a de facto relationship. However, we still need to know:

  • Your partner’s name and date of birth
  • Their taxable income
  • The number of dependent children

This helps us correctly calculate offsets and Medicare levy obligations. (Yes, Centrelink looks at this too!)

Yes — you absolutely can.

While MyGov access is helpful, it’s not required to lodge your return through a registered tax agent like us.

Here’s how we handle it:

  • Once you complete the Tax Agent Appointment Form (TAF), we’re authorised to access your ATO records directly — no MyGov login needed.
  • We’ll retrieve your income info, prepare your return, and send it to you for review and e-signature — all securely via email.

📩 Just book a consult or email us at info@nextgenteam.com.au to get started.

✅ We help hundreds of clients every year who’ve lost access to MyGov — you’re in safe hands.

If you earned income — even part-time or casually — you may need to lodge. Here’s what we’ll ask:

  • When you arrived in Australia
  • Your visa type (e.g., 500 student visa)
  • How much income you earned (casual jobs, Uber, ABN, etc.)
  • Any tax withheld from your pay

Plus, if you don’t have Medicare access, you may be able to claim a Medicare Levy exemption — we can help you with the paperwork.

Great question — and you’re not alone!

If you see “overdue tax returns” in your MyGov even though you didn’t earn any income, it’s likely because the ATO still expected a return — and nothing was lodged.

👉 Even if you didn’t work, you still need to:

  • Lodge a non-lodgment advice, or
  • Submit a zero-income tax return for that year

Until one of those is done, the ATO treats the return as “outstanding”, and it shows as overdue in MyGov.

The good news?
We can clean this up for you. Once we lodge a quick non-lodgment form or zero return, the overdue will disappear — no penalties, no stress.

✅ Tip: If you’re not sure which years apply, we’ll check your ATO portal during your consult and help you sort it on the spot.

No — the tax-free threshold of $18,200 applies only once, across all your income.

When you start a new job, you’ll be asked if you want to claim the tax-free threshold. You should only claim it from your main job (the one that pays you the most).

If you claim it from more than one employer, you may end up with a tax bill at the end of the year — because not enough tax was withheld from your total income.

Don’t stress — we’ll fix it when preparing your tax return and calculate exactly what’s owed or refundable.

✅ Tip: Tell your second employer not to apply the threshold to be safe — they’ll then withhold tax at a higher rate, which avoids a surprise debt later.

Not always true.

While it’s correct that you won’t pay tax if you earn under the $18,200 threshold, that doesn’t automatically mean you don’t need to lodge a return.

Here’s why you may still need to lodge:

  • You had tax withheld by your employer — you could be owed a refund!
  • You received Centrelink payments
  • You earned bank interest, dividends, or other income
  • You had an ABN (Uber, freelance, etc.)
  • You’re on a temporary visa and need to apply for a Medicare Levy exemption
  • The ATO still expects a return and not lodging could trigger a late lodgment notice

Even if you’re under the threshold, it’s often worth lodging just to:

  • Get a refund if tax was taken from your pay
  • Keep your ATO record clean and up to date
  • Avoid any issues with government agencies (like Centrelink)

Still not sure? That’s what your consultation is for — we’ll check everything and tell you if you need to lodge or just submit a non-lodgment notice. Too easy!

That’s ABN income — and yes, it needs to be declared. We’ll help you:

  • Lodge as a sole trader
  • Report income and allowable deductions (fuel, insurance, etc.)
  • Work out whether Personal Services Income (PSI) rules apply
  • Prepare for GST registration (if applicable)

We’ve got a special ABN checklist template we’ll send you to make it easy.

We get this question a lot — but unfortunately, you can’t split your tax return like that.

When you lodge your tax return, you’re reporting all income earned under your name for the year — including both:

  • TFN income (like wages or salary), and
  • ABN income (freelancing, Uber, consulting, etc.)

If you leave out your ABN income, the return is considered incomplete and incorrect, and it could:

  • Trigger an ATO audit or data-matching alert
  • Lead to penalties or interest later on

No stress — we can lodge once you’re ready. In the meantime, we’ll:

  • Lodge your TFN estimate now (for review only)
  • Send you a secure link to upload ABN invoices and expenses
  • Finalise everything in one return — properly and on time

✅ It’s all about accuracy — and we’ll help you stay compliant while maximising your refund.

Yes — if you sold it, swapped it, or cashed out. Here’s what we’ll need:

  • Purchase and sale dates
  • Amounts and any related fees
  • Transaction reports (from your broker or crypto exchange)

Don’t worry if it’s messy — we’ll guide you through capital gains tax (CGT) reporting. If you just held coins or shares and didn’t sell, we’ll make a note but no tax applies yet.

Yes, if it’s directly related to your current job. That includes:

  • Online courses
  • Seminars
  • CPA or CA prep
  • Tax training or bookkeeping if you’re already working in the field

We’ll ask for the cost, receipt, and whether it was paid by you or your employer.

Yes — but only if you’re working from home and the expenses are related to earning your income.

For FY24 & FY25, the ATO provides a set hourly rate method:

  • 67 cents per hour (FY24)
  • 70 cents per hour (FY25)

This covers:

  • Electricity and gas
  • Internet and phone usage
  • Stationery and computer consumables

📌 To claim:

  • You need a record of hours worked from home (timesheets, rosters, calendar entries)
  • You don’t need individual bills if using the fixed-rate method

If you want to claim actual expenses, you’ll need to keep receipts and calculate the work-related portion — we’ll guide you through that if needed.

Yes — if you use your mobile for work (calls, emails, apps), you can claim a portion of your bill.

We’ll ask you to:

  • Estimate or provide a 4-week usage diary
  • Identify how much of your phone use is work-related (e.g., 40%, 70%, etc.)

Yes — travel between job locations or to meet clients during work hours is generally deductible.

✅ You can claim:

  • Driving between multiple offices or job sites
  • Trips to visit clients or suppliers
  • Travel to off-site meetings or training (not provided by your employer)

❌ You can’t claim:

  • Travel from home to your regular workplace (that’s considered private)

Method

FY25 Rate

What You’ll Need

Cents per KM

88¢ per km

Just a reasonable estimate of kms driven (max 5,000 km per car)

Logbook Method

Actual cost %

12-week logbook + receipts for fuel, servicing, rego, etc.

Tip: Keep a simple note of dates, locations, and purpose of travel — it makes your claim easier and more accurate.

Want help choosing the best method? Your consultant will advise during your call.

Yes — but only if the travel is work-related.

✅ You can claim transport costs if you’re:

  • Travelling between worksites or offices
  • Attending off-site meetings or training
  • Visiting clients or suppliers during work hours

❌ You can’t claim your daily commute from home to your regular workplace — that’s considered personal travel by the ATO.

Get Your Max Tax Back!

We don’t just go through the numbers, we fight for every dollar you deserve. With our maximum and instant tax refund guarantee, you will get the money you are owed faster. No waiting, no wondering.

Start Your Tax Return