This tax time more than 1.4 million taxpayers will have access to the ATO’s new myTax service which will slash the time and effort it takes to complete your tax return.

“MyTax is a new streamlined online tax return designed specifically for people with straightforward tax affairs,” Deputy Commissioner Steve Vesperman said.

“We know people want their tax to be as effortless as possible. MyTax allows you to lodge your return quickly and conveniently on tablets, smart phones and any computer.”

MyTax pre-fills your return with information from your previous tax return and with information provided by your bank, employer, government agencies and others.

“If you wait until early August, when most of this information is available, myTax will do most of the hard work for you. With only 10 main screens to review, your tax return will be easier to complete than ever before,” Mr Vesperman said.

“For those with more complex tax affairs, e-tax continues to provide a free, convenient, and secure online lodgment option.”

To find out more information on myTax, your eligibility and online lodgment options this year visit www.ato.gov.au/lodgeonline.

See the myTax promotional video here

Online services now available through myGov 

ATO online services are now available through myGov. To lodge your tax return online – with either myTax or e-tax - you will need to create a myGov account and link it to the ATO.

If you already have a myGov account, simply link the ATO as one of your member services.

Once linked to the ATO, you can use your myGov account to manage your tax and superannuation affairs online. You can update your personal details, keep track of your super, arrange to pay a debt and lodge and check the progress of your tax returns.

New changes to be aware of this tax time 

There are a few changes this tax time that you need to be aware of.

Private Health Insurance rebates will be adjusted and applied to premiums paid on or after 1 April 2014. This means the rebate before and after this date will be different, and you will now have two lines of information you will need to include in your tax return. So make sure Media Unit contact: 02 6216 1901

you wait for your statement before doing your tax return. Pre-filling of private health insurance policy details is expected to be available in myTax and e-tax from early August 2014. For more information read our article ‘Health insurance statement needed to complete your tax return’.

The net medical expenses tax offset is being phased out. To be eligible to claim the tax offset this year you must have either received the offset in your 2012-13 income tax assessment, or paid for medical expenses relating to disability aids, attendant care or aged care. For more information read our article ‘Net Medical Expenses Tax Offset Changes’ for more information on these changes.

Tax receipt 

This tax time people who have lodged their tax return and paid $100 or more in income tax will now receive a tax receipt with their Notice of Assessment.

The tax receipt provides a breakdown of how your tax has contributed to government services such as welfare, health and education. Information on the level of Australian government debt will also be included.

For more information visit www.ato.gov.au/taxreceipt.

Paper tax returns 

Like last year, if a taxpayer needs to lodge on paper they can order a paper tax return and instructions online at www.ato.gov.au/onlineordering, calling 1300 720 092 (quote NAT 71050), or by picking up a copy from ATO shopfronts as they will no longer be available at newsagents.