Process overview
Tax return—Individual basics
When is the deadline for submitting my tax return?
The ATO sets specific deadlines for individuals to submit their tax returns annually. For most individuals, the initial lodgment deadline is 31 October, unless they are enrolled in a tax agent lodgment program before this date.
To join Vialto’s program, you need to initiate your tax questionnaire or provide us with your Tax File Number details by 31 October. If we have prepared your return in previous years, you should already be enrolled.
The ATO assigns your lodgment deadline based on your circumstances:
- 31 October: Individuals with outstanding returns from previous years
- 31 March: Individuals whose latest return resulted in a tax liability of A$20,000 or more
- 15 May: All others
We encourage early submission of your tax information to avoid Penalties and Interest charged by the ATO for late lodgment.
Can I file a joint tax return with my spouse?
No, Australia does not allow married couples to file joint tax returns. Each individual must file their own tax return, reporting their own income and claiming their own deductions and tax credits. However, spouses can coordinate their tax affairs and may be eligible for certain tax benefits or offsets based on their combined income and circumstances.
Providing information to Vialto Partners
Do I need to provide Vialto Partners with my monthly payslips?
No, you do not need to provide copies of your monthly payslips. We receive your employment income details directly from the ATO, as reported by your employer. This information will be prefilled when you complete your Airtax questionnaire. If our services are covered by your employer, they will typically provide us with any additional compensation details we may need.
Why do I need to complete a questionnaire?
While we receive much of your information directly from the ATO, we still need you to confirm some basic details each year, such as your current residential address and any deductions you wish to claim. Since most information is prefilled from the ATO, completing the questionnaire should only take a few minutes.
Do I need to provide Vialto Partners with my travel data?
If any of the following applies to you, please complete the online calendar in myMobility:
- You had extensive travel in and out of Australia that may impact your residency position, or
- You are a business traveller to Australia.
My employer authorises Vialto Partners for my tax preparation service. Does this include the tax filing for my spouse?
Whether Vialto Partners can prepare your spouse’s tax return depends on your employer's agreement. Please consult your HR department or contact Vialto Partners for further details. If your spouse’s services are not covered and you need our assistance, we can provide additional information.
What tax deductions can I claim against my employment income?
Common tax deductions include:
- Donations to Australian registered charities
- Interest and dividend deductions (where the related income is taxable), such as account-keeping fees for investment accounts, interest on loans to finance investments, and management fees and fees for investment advice related to changes in your investment mix
- Expenses incurred in completing your Australian tax affairs
Deductions directly related to your employment income and not reimbursed by your employer may include:
- Union fees and subscriptions to trade, business, or professional associations
- Professional seminars, courses, conferences, and workshops
- Reference books, technical journals, and trade magazines
- Tools and equipment and professional libraries
- Depreciation of a personal computer and other equipment, including home office fixtures and fittings used for business purposes
- Overtime meal expenses
- Home office heating, cooling, lighting, and cleaning costs
- Business use car and travel expenses
- Uniforms or specialized safety clothing for your workplace
- Self-education expenses incurred to gain or maintain qualifications for use in your employment
Please retain all supporting documents for 5 years. These documents do not need to be submitted to the ATO unless requested and do not need to be provided to us as part of your tax information.
Providing consent to lodge your income tax return
How do I approve my tax return?
We’ll advise you in the cover letter with your return of all actions required.
Typically an electronic copy of your return will be uploaded to your myMobility account once completed by us. Please download, review, and confirm your approval by clicking the consent button in myMobility.
Once we receive your consent via myMobility, we will lodge your tax return with the ATO if everything is in order and we aren’t waiting for anything else from you (for example, a completed Medicare Entitlement Statement application).
We may provide reminders where you don’t provide the required information.
Do I need to send in tax payment with my return?
No payment is required with the submission of the tax return. See more.