Francis A Jones - Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment?

Do you prepare my return while I wait?

What is the cost of preparing a tax return?

When is my return due for lodgement?

What do I need to bring to have my tax return prepared?

How long will my refund take?

What if I cannot locate my PAYG summary?

Q: Do I need an appointment?

A: It is not necessary to make an appointment to have an accountant prepare your personal income tax return. We have staff on call to service clients who do not wish to make an appointment. However to avoid delays we do recommend that an appointment is made where possible, as there are periods when all accountants are busy, especially during the months of July to September.

Q: Do you prepare my return while I wait?

A: We will generally prepare an individual tax return while the client waits. However if your return is complex, or you are lodging multiple returns, we may take your information for later preparation.

Q: What is the cost of preparing a tax return?

A: Our fee for preparing an individual tax return for the 2008 year starts from $121 including GST. Where returns require non standard inclusions such as rental properties, capital gains or business income, additional charges may apply based upon the complexity of the tax return.

Fees for services provided to business clients are determined based upon the time taken to complete the service, and can be estimated in advance upon request.

Q: When is my return due for lodgement?

A: As a registered tax agent we receive automatic extensions for lodgement of our clients' tax returns. Therefore you may not need to lodge by 31 October each year, and generally receive an extension until April or May of the following year (note that taxpayers with a poor lodgement or payment history will have earlier lodgement dates).

If you are a new client to our firm you will need to contact us prior to 31 October so that we can register as your tax agent and receive an extension for you.

Q: What do I need to bring to have my tax return prepared?

A: To have us prepare your personal tax return you will need to bring the appropriate information relating to your circumstances. Below is a list of information you may need to bring. The list is in order of most likely to least likely, so many of the items further down the list will not be applicable to most people. Please also note that the list is not exhaustive.

PAYG Payment Summary (formerly called a 'group certificate'), or pension advice.

Details of bank interest received (bank statements are the best source)

Details of work expenses including union fees, professional subscriptions, seminar costs, purchase and dry cleaning of uniforms or protective clothing, stationery, tools and materials.

A list of donations made to charities (or the receipts), including contributions to school building funds.

Details of motor vehicle expenses. This may include detail of kilometres travelled for work purposes, vehicle type and engine size, receipts for fuel, repairs, licence and insurance, and a log book. We will advise you further on the different methods available for claiming motor vehicle expenses at your appointment, but please note that home to work travel is generally not tax deductible.

Dividends received from shares. Please bring the dividend slips so that we can see the level of franking. Note that dividends that are reinvested for further shares must still be included as income in your tax return.

Income from managed funds. This generally consists of income from a number of sources, so it is important that you bring the year end tax summary issued by the fund manager. Most funds will not issue these until August or September each year.

A PHIS statement issued from your health fund. These are issued automatically by all funds following the end of the financial year.

Rental property details. Details may include rental statements from a managing agent, council and water rates, insurance, land tax, advertising, corporate body levies, repairs and replacements, gardening costs and interest and fees paid on your loan (loan statements from the bank are the best source). Travel in relation to managing or maintaining your property is also deductible, and you should keep a list of kilometres travelled.

Details of capital gains on any assets sold (excluding your principal residence). We will need evidence of the sale and the original purchase. Examples include a settlement statement for property, or broker 'buy' and 'sell' notes for shares.

ETP (eligible termination payment) statements issued by an employer on termination of work, or by a superannuation fund upon payout of your super monies.

Costs of self education where the education is directly connected with your current work. Examples of costs are motor vehicle expenses between your workplace and study place, books, course fees, photocopying and stationery. Please note that HECS levies are not deductible.

Your HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) statement from the government.

Travel costs for work purposes including airfares and accommodation. This travel must be apportioned by time spent on work and private matters, supported by a detailed travel diary.

Receipts or details of medical expenses if the 'out of pocket' costs to you exceeded $1,500 for the year (including costs for your dependents). You can ask both your Private Health Insurer and Medicare to provide a year end statement of all benefits paid.

Details of business income and expenditure.

Details of foreign earnings including interest on overseas bank accounts or foreign pensions.

Q: How long will my refund take?

A: We lodge all tax returns electronically, so your return is lodged with the ATO on the same day as it is prepared. The ATO have undertaken to process all electronically lodged returns with 14 working days, so it is likely your refund will take no longer than three weeks, and often takes a lot less. Please note that we check all ATO assessments for accuracy, which may add an extra day to the process.

Please also note that the '14 day refund' is a tax office initiative and we cannot guarantee this timeframe.

Q: What if I cannot locate my PAYG summary?

A: The first port of call is your employer. You must make every possible effort to obtain your summary from the employer, even if they have relocated or business has ceased. Remember that the employer has an obligation to keep taxation records for a minimum of five years.

If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a copy of your PAYG summary from your employer, you may try contacting the ATO for a copy of the summary.

As a last resort you can complete a Statutory Declaration to estimate the income earned, and tax withheld. You must complete a Statutory Declaration for each employer from which you have no documents. You should use external evidence such as payslips or bank statements to assist in your estimation of income.

A Statutory Declaration for missing PAYG summaries is available in our Tools and Resources page.


Q:	Do I need an appointment?
A:	It is not necessary to make an appointment to have an accountant prepare your personal income tax return. We have staff on call to service clients who do not wish to make an appointment. However to avoid delays we do recommend that an appointment is made where possible, as there are periods when all accountants are busy, especially during the months of July to September.
Q:	Do you prepare my return while I wait?
A:	We will generally prepare an individual tax return while the client waits. However if your return is complex, or you are lodging multiple returns, we may take your information for later preparation.
Q:	What is the cost of preparing a tax return?
A:	Our fee for preparing an individual tax return for the 2008 year starts from $121 including GST. Where returns require non standard inclusions such as rental properties, capital gains or business income, additional charges may apply based upon the complexity of the tax return. Fees for services provided to business clients are determined based upon the time taken to complete the service, and can be estimated in advance upon request.
Q:	When is my return due for lodgement?
A:	As a registered tax agent we receive automatic extensions for lodgement of our clients' tax returns. Therefore you may not need to lodge by 31 October each year, and generally receive an extension until April or May of the following year (note that taxpayers with a poor lodgement or payment history will have earlier lodgement dates). If you are a new client to our firm you will need to contact us prior to 31 October so that we can register as your tax agent and receive an extension for you.
Q:	What do I need to bring to have my tax return prepared?
A:	To have us prepare your personal tax return you will need to bring the appropriate information relating to your circumstances. Below is a list of information you may need to bring. The list is in order of most likely to least likely, so many of the items further down the list will not be applicable to most people. Please also note that the list is not exhaustive. PAYG Payment Summary (formerly called a 'group certificate'), or pension advice. Details of bank interest received (bank statements are the best source) Details of work expenses including union fees, professional subscriptions, seminar costs, purchase and dry cleaning of uniforms or protective clothing, stationery, tools and materials. A list of donations made to charities (or the receipts), including contributions to school building funds. Details of motor vehicle expenses. This may include detail of kilometres travelled for work purposes, vehicle type and engine size, receipts for fuel, repairs, licence and insurance, and a log book. We will advise you further on the different methods available for claiming motor vehicle expenses at your appointment, but please note that home to work travel is generally not tax deductible. Dividends received from shares. Please bring the dividend slips so that we can see the level of franking. Note that dividends that are reinvested for further shares must still be included as income in your tax return. Income from managed funds. This generally consists of income from a number of sources, so it is important that you bring the year end tax summary issued by the fund manager. Most funds will not issue these until August or September each year. A PHIS statement issued from your health fund. These are issued automatically by all funds following the end of the financial year. Rental property details. Details may include rental statements from a managing agent, council and water rates, insurance, land tax, advertising, corporate body levies, repairs and replacements, gardening costs and interest and fees paid on your loan (loan statements from the bank are the best source). Travel in relation to managing or maintaining your property is also deductible, and you should keep a list of kilometres travelled. Details of capital gains on any assets sold (excluding your principal residence). We will need evidence of the sale and the original purchase. Examples include a settlement statement for property, or broker 'buy' and 'sell' notes for shares. ETP (eligible termination payment) statements issued by an employer on termination of work, or by a superannuation fund upon payout of your super monies. Costs of self education where the education is directly connected with your current work. Examples of costs are motor vehicle expenses between your workplace and study place, books, course fees, photocopying and stationery. Please note that HECS levies are not deductible. Your HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) statement from the government. Travel costs for work purposes including airfares and accommodation. This travel must be apportioned by time spent on work and private matters, supported by a detailed travel diary. Receipts or details of medical expenses if the 'out of pocket' costs to you exceeded $1,500 for the year (including costs for your dependents). You can ask both your Private Health Insurer and Medicare to provide a year end statement of all benefits paid. Details of business income and expenditure. Details of foreign earnings including interest on overseas bank accounts or foreign pensions.
Q:	How long will my refund take?
A:	We lodge all tax returns electronically, so your return is lodged with the ATO on the same day as it is prepared. The ATO have undertaken to process all electronically lodged returns with 14 working days, so it is likely your refund will take no longer than three weeks, and often takes a lot less. Please note that we check all ATO assessments for accuracy, which may add an extra day to the process. Please also note that the '14 day refund' is a tax office initiative and we cannot guarantee this timeframe.
Q:	What if I cannot locate my PAYG summary?
A:	The first port of call is your employer. You must make every possible effort to obtain your summary from the employer, even if they have relocated or business has ceased. Remember that the employer has an obligation to keep taxation records for a minimum of five years. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a copy of your PAYG summary from your employer, you may try contacting the ATO for a copy of the summary. As a last resort you can complete a Statutory Declaration to estimate the income earned, and tax withheld. You must complete a Statutory Declaration for each employer from which you have no documents. You should use external evidence such as payslips or bank statements to assist in your estimation of income. A Statutory Declaration for missing PAYG summaries is available in our Tools and Resources page.