ATO Hit List 2024 tax returns
The ATO have released their hit-list for the 2024 tax returns – essentially, this is a list of key areas that they will be focusing on for their tax return reviews (noting that, really, all areas are subject to review):
- Incorrectly claiming work-related expenses
- Inflating claims for rental properties
- Failing to include all income in your tax return
Work-related expenses
Last year the ATO changed the records that were required to be kept to claim the fixed rate working from home deduction (see more in our article here).
To claim a working from home deduction using the fixed rate method, you need to have kept the following records:
- Diary evidence showing the total hours worked from home; and
- Records of the additional costs you have incurred for working from home (eg. Electricity bill, internet bill).
Simply “copying and pasting” your deduction from last year will likely result in a review of your tax return.
Rental properties
The ATO have specifically identified repairs and maintenance of rental properties as one of the areas of concern. General repairs can be claimed as a tax deduction, but expenses that are capital in nature are not deductible as repairs (these may be eligible for a depreciation deduction instead).
While not specially identified by the ATO, interest deductions are also another area where significant mistakes are made by taxpayers.
You need to ensure you keep full and complete records to ensure so your tax return can be prepared accurately.
See our previous article for rental properties here.
Missing income
If you rush to lodge your tax return on 1 July, not all of your income will be available on your ATO prefill report.
Check that your income statement from your employer is marked as “tax ready” before lodging your tax return.
Also check that all of your investment income has been included in your tax return (as it can take some time for this to be available on your ATO prefill report).
By following these steps, it means it will be less likely that your return will need to be amended.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, neither TJN Accountants nor any member or employee of TJN Accountants accepts any responsibility for any loss, however caused, as a result of reliance on this general information. We recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas. The article is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information. Therefore, it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our consent,
Jeanette has over 20 years experience as an accountant in public practice. She is a Chartered Accountant, registered tax agent and accredited SMSF Association advisor. When she is not helping business owners grow their empires, you will likely find her out running on the trails or at the gym. Book in to see Jeanette today.