A lot of people find lodging their tax return a little overwhelming. Whether it is your first time dealing with tax or you are running a business and can't afford to pay for professional help, even if you're new to the country and don't understand the expectations of the tax system, there is help available that can save you falling into a lifetime of tax anxiety.
The ATO has several Tax Help programs that can help you for free. All across Australia the ATO in conjunction with a range of community centres, Universities and organisations, have registered and accredited volunteers or supervised students and Tax presentations to help.
PERSONAL TAX RETURNS
Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using MyTax. Tax Help is available from July to October in all capital cities and many regional areas across Australia.
You are eligible for Tax Help if your income is around $60,000 or less for the income year and you did not:
•work as a contractor, for example a contract cleaner or taxi driver (have an ABN)
•run a business, including as a sole trader
•have partnership or trust matters
•sell shares or an investment property
•own a rental property
•have capital gains tax (CGT)
•receive royalties
•receive distributions from a trust, other than a managed fund
•receive foreign income, other than a foreign pension or annuity.
NATIONAL TAX CLINIC PROGRAM
The National Tax Clinic program is a government-funded initiative to help people who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs.
This program is available to eligible individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities.
The ATO supports this initiative but the tax clinics operate independently from the ATO. UniSA has been funded to run the tax clinics and are available in the Adelaide CBD and Hackham West campus.
Qualified clinic managers supervise students, studying tax-related courses, to provide free tax advice and support at the clinics.
TAX INFORMATION PRESENTATIONS
The ATO offers presentations to increase people’s awareness about Tax as is relevant to their circumstances.
The sessions they currently have planned in SA are available at https://lets-talk.ato.gov.au/sbworkshopssa
Ever felt like you can’t do anything to make a difference to your finances? Take a look at these 7 simple tips that can make a real difference in managing your money.
1. Know how much you've got and where it goes
Self monitoring makes a difference and actually slows down your spending. One way to do this is through the Moneysmart app ‘Track My Spend’ which you can download for free in the App Store.
2. Stop! Think!
Advertisers and sales people encourage us to "buy it now" before its too late. Spending money quickly can be easy. Choose one of these ideas to help slow down your thinking:
- Reduce the limit on your credit card
- Wait a week to see if you still really need an item if it's over $100
- Make a list of what you need before you shop
3. Find your support team!
Managing money is tough - we all need help and support. Chat to family and friends who you trust and who have knowledge or skills to help with your financial position. Find someone who can help hold you accountable with your money decisions (you can do the same for them!). There are other places you can get help. For example, free financial counselling is available for people experiencing financial stress by calling 1800 007 007.
4. Make savings a bill!
Saving something is better than nothing. Set up a system that helps you save regularly and consistently. Reward yourself along the way! It’s the habit that makes the difference and you’ll feel good seeing your savings grow.
5. Shop smart!
The cheapest deal isn’t always the best value. Before you buy a product make sure it's suited to your needs. Search for good deals in products such as insurance, electricity, white goods and internet plans.
6. Know how much it really costs
If you don’t know the full cost of a product with interest, fees and charges, then don’t buy it! Ask the retailer to tell you how much it will end up costing you in the long run. If they can’t tell you, leave it on the shelf.
7. Persevere!
Everyone faces challenges managing their money. Jump back from minor rebounds before they become major ones. Your friendly Financial Counsellor at your local Salvos would be happy to support you through this!
Copyright © 2019 The Salvation Army - You're The Boss, All rights reserved.
The Australian Senate is currently considering the question of whether Newstart and related payments are adequate.
The Salvation Army has a number of concerns about Newstart, Youth Allowance and other welfare payments. They will be putting in a submission to the Inquiry to help the Senate understand the experience of Newstart and related payments for the people who are reliant on them.
Your story might influence government and bring about a serious positive change. Tell them of your experience on Newstart and fill out a few short survey questions at the link below.
Some questions you might want to think about are:
- What were the circumstances under which you started receiving the payments?
- How did you find the process of applying for and then receiving your payments? Which payments did you get?
- Are you receiving enough to live with dignity?
- Do you have what you need to be able to apply for and win jobs?
- What would an extra $50/$75/$100 a week mean for you?
- What other supports would help you?
Find out more about the Inquiry at the Australian Parliament House website.
Nowadays, with most things being electronic you would be lucky to find a menu for a local restaurant, a supermarket catalogue or a common garden skink in your letter box. If you find a paper bill in your letterbox it is important to check with your service provider if you are being charged a fee to cover the cost of printing and posting.
If you are receiving a paper bill and are being charged a fee, you can opt in to receive the bill at no extra cost via email or via the provider’s website.
Some service providers may issue paper bills at no extra cost if the customer is:
· A senior
· Is registered for a concession
· Receives income support
· Are on a hardship program
· Doesn’t have internet access
If you believe that you may be eligible, it is important to contact your service providers.
If you would like more information about the cost of paper bills, see Paper Billing Fees on the Affordable SA App linked below.
Some people in financial hardship may find it distressing and overwhelming to open their mail. If you have been avoiding opening your mail and you would like to talk to a Financial Counsellor about your debts, call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or search for the National Debt Helpline on the Affordable SA App.
By Sam
We've all done it. Bought something we later regretted because we didn't really need it.
The AfterPay logo seems to be everywhere, along with other so-called 'buy now pay later' products. You've heard it from sales assistants offering alternate ways too pay. Before you do, there are a few simple few questions to ask yourself about what you're about to buy?
1. How much do I really like it? Is this a necessity that will be beneficial for me and my household?
Stopping to think about whether you really like the item, and how it will add to your life might help put it in perspective for you!
2. How long have I been thinking about this purchase?
If you've been researching the product or thinking about it for a while, you're on your way to a good decision. You could also ask, 'Would I make this same purchase in 24 hours?' These questions help us reduce spontaneous decisions that we might later regret.
3. Do I have enough money to buy this today, which won't impact on my bills or payments?
If it's a stretch and you're reaching into next week's groceries, today is not the right time. Is there a way to save up instead?
"I often feel like I need to have the next best thing whether that be the current fashion fad or new gadget. However I've taught myself not to get caught up in it - a skill that has saved me so much money! Whenever feelings of urgency to buy "it" arise, I wait one day. 9 out of 10 times these feelings of urgency subside and I end up feeling better for it having saved the money and not made an unnecessary purchase" - Hannah
The Salvation Army's Monecare program encourages you to go on a buying reflection journey. Have a goal in mind like steering away from AfterPay and using it less, spending less online this month, or start saving for Christmas! Whatever it is, asking yourself a couple of questions before you buy something goes a long way in removing regret!
(Article sourced from The Salvation Army's Moneycare's "You're the Boss" Program)
For extra help with your goals, get in touch with a financial counsellor. They're free, independent and confidential.
This week is National Homelessness Week and Affordable SA recognises homelessness is real every day of the year with more than 116,000 Australians experiencing this right now.
When living rough, finding available services can be very difficult especially regionally where most community services are provided from a distance. For years, Affordable SA has been connecting those doing it tough with much needed services quickly, discretely and easily with the Affordable SA app and website.
Affordable SA is expanding to provide important location based searching combined with real-time ‘open now’ status to help deliver the best assistance to those who need it.
This is an exciting development for South Australia, as an initiative between The Salvation Army, Carrington Cottages and Verto Group.
These expanded features will be available in coming months.
The app is free to download for iOS and android or visit www.affordablesa.com.au.
by Graeme
Many individuals and families are living just one step away from financial hardship and without a little help could find themselves easily slipping into homelessness.
Charity groups and welfare organisations often provide what is called Emergency Relief. It is the means to provide for people in need, the assistance of most benefit to them. This could be food, food vouchers, blankets, clothes, assistance with bills and furniture as well as other vouchers to stores such as K-Mart to purchase much needed goods.
Help may also include medications, access to free glasses, and referrals to free dental care. Many centres provide budget counselling, financial counselling, personal counselling and links to other community programs located across the state.
These welfare agencies are recognised as providing a state wide standard and purchase vouchers from supermarkets and large chains department stores that can be redeemed by those people in need.
A lot of people find it hard to reach out for help and are quite often at desperation point before finally seeking assistance. The providers of Emergency Relief are there to help and to do so with dignity and understanding. They can also refer people to other agencies that may be of further assistance.
See the Affordable App, website or ring the Helpline1800 025 539 for more details.
by Graeme
Orange Sky mobile laundry and One Voice mobile showers have been operating around Adelaide for several years providing much needed services for people sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness. Each service works in conjunction with many community centres, church groups and social welfare agencies.
Fred's Van is a mobile food service that provides hot, nutritious meal, blankets, clothing and food vouchers, donated books, social connection and referrals to other community service and Government agencies.
Foodbank now has several Vans to help to bring supermarket to those in need and have been trialing in regional areas.
The good thing about these mobile service is that they can change their roster and location to suit the needs of the homeless. They are supported by volunteers who treat the clients with the dignity they deserve and can lend an ear over a coffee or a hot meal. Although operating independently there are times across the roster where they overlap to provide a wider range of basic services available to where the need is greatest.
Affordable SA is a mobile resource providing greater access to support services for South Australians and empowering house holds facing difficulties. It helps connect the dots using plain language between all the services available and provides an easy self guiding mobile application so that those in need can make informed decisions to take better control over their financial decisions and obtain useful assistance for their well being.
Overseas in London they have come up with an idea turning the iconic red double decker into mobile shelters for the homeless. The buses have room for dining as well as computer terminals to help people to start to reconnect with services. https://buses4homeless.org. In Adelaide we already utilise bus terminals for code red and blue days so an extra bus or two parked in the terminal doesn't seem an unreasonable thing to consider.
by Graeme
It used to be that when you mentioned Homelessness it would conjure up pictures of people sleeping rough in doorways. Over the years Homelessness Week has helped to highlight the wider plight of those sleeping rough on the streets, in shelters, in cars or couch surfing. Domestic Violence, family relationship breakdowns as well as financial desperation, mental health issues and drug or alcohol abuse now help to define the Homelessness statistics. The complex series of issues surrounding homelessness make it clear that there is no one case scenario that is a quick fix.
To the many community service organisations and charities, Homelessness Week is just another week when people need and seek help. Politicians and local members will attend forums with guest speakers and a smorgasbord lunch to chew over the subject. We, the public, display our awareness by wearing flannelette or nominating someone in the office to sleep in a sleeping bag overnight. Some will raise money for their favourite charities by walking a mile or two. What ever it is, wearing the shirt, sleeping in the car, buying a coffee for a stranger and eating the homelessness sausage sanga at Bunnings, we need to remember and continue to voice that Homelessness is not something that will go away without a longer term view and greater follow up and commitment outside of this week.
In the major cities such as Adelaide there are a wide range of services that do their best to provide people in need with something to eat, a place to wash clothes, a clean toilet, and if available a safe place to sleep. Many services have now gone mobile. "One Voice Showers" and "Orange Sky" laundry services criss-cross the Adelaide region to be where they are needed and Foodbank is pushing further and further into the outskirts with their new mobile vans to help people in need or at risk of being homeless. It may be a complex game of Tetris but having regular support services at hand to provide ongoing assistance and long term mentoring is crucial.
In the regional areas of South Australia, services are scant and shelters or housing for the homeless are almost non-existent. Without physical housing or shelter solutions for the homeless dealing with the issue is a quick ride on the futile treadmill for most service providers. Even in big shires close to Adelaide such as Mount Barker there are no shelters or accommodation for the homeless and the booming housing growth means there is also little in the way of vacant houses or bus terminal buildings for people to get out of the weather even if its a code red or code blue day. Services in these regional areas can only provide assistance by moving people away from what support groups they have established and risk creating social isolation and increased mental health issues that will have longer term problems. More time than not the person would rather be living rough in an area they are familiar or have established connection than living isolated in a house in another region. Many people return to their original area which means they also risk accumulating debt from a vacant rental.
Check out the ABC Riverland story about the ongoing support needed for regional homelessness (related content).
So slip on your favourite flannelette shirt and sign up to sleep in the car. Get your pockets bulging with gold coins and throw them into the tin whilst eating the Homeslessness sausage sanga. If you're in the outskirts of the city or in the bush regions throw your support behind the local service providers and to the butcher and the baker who quietly helps to feed the many families at risk of homelessness in your town. They need your support to help people doing it tough not just today or this week but every day and every week.
by Graeme