Disclaimers
Clients are required to complete a Tax Help disclaimer (PDF, 164KB)This link will download a file for each tax return, claim or form you help them complete. The completed disclaimer places all responsibility for the information provided in the tax return, claim or form with the client.
Disclaimers will be supplied to you by Tax Help.
Ask the client to read the disclaimer before they sign it. You should read it to them if they are unable to read it themselves.
Attach the disclaimer to the:
- appointment record sheet for tax returns and forms lodged online
- tax return for printed prior year tax returns or forms.
Identifying Tax Help prepared returns
All tax returns completed with the help of Tax Help volunteers must include identifying information. How you identify the return depends on if it was an online tax return or a paper prior year tax return or form.
Online tax returns
When you submit a myTax return or Refund of franking credits application online, provide your Tax Help volunteer ID and the Tax Help centre ID. This step is mandatory and must be completed in the question 'How did you complete this Tax return'.
When you submit a non-lodgment advice online the system doesn't allow you to enter your Tax Help volunteer ID. These activities will instead be captured by the appointment record.
Printed prior year tax returns and other forms
You can't lodge prior year tax returns before 2014 online. You can download Prior years individuals tax return forms and schedules. If you can't complete a form online, identify it by writing and highlighting on the front page of the return:
- Tax Help
- your Tax Help volunteer ID number
- Tax Help centre ID, and
- attach the Tax Help disclaimer.
Don't write over the year or dates.
It's the client's responsibility to post the completed form to the ATO. Let the client know they should post the tax return to this address:
AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE
COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE
TAX HELP
GPO BOX 478
BRISBANE QLD 4001
This is not a reply-paid address, the client needs to provide an envelope and pay for postage.
Communication with the ATO
Our preferred method of contact is email. Please inform us if your email address or any of your contact details change.
We encourage you to use the myTax help files, as well as the volunteers' help guide or our website, for further information whenever possible.
If you have a technical question when completing a client’s tax return the Tax Help hotline is available to help you from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday to Friday. This number is for Tax Help volunteer use only and will be given to you after you're accredited. When phoning, clearly identify yourself as a Tax Help volunteer.
Advise clients who require help (including to check on the progress of their tax return) to phone the Individual enquiries line on 13 28 61 during business hours.
If you experience problems with myTax refer to the Help and support for myTax guide. If you need further help, contact the Tax Help hotline 1800 644 104.
The hotline can't help if you are having problems with Tax Help issued equipment. If you have an equipment issue and for all other enquiries contact Tax Help.
Feedback from clients and volunteers
We encourage you to provide feedback on the program. This could include comments from clients on ways to improve the service. You could include these with your appointment sheets each month or send them directly to Tax Help.
Reimbursement
Accredited Tax Help volunteers will be reimbursed for eligible out-of-pocket expenses incurred while participating in the Tax Help program. If you incur eligible expenses you will need to complete a Tax Help Volunteer – Reimbursement claim form.
For information about what you can claim a reimbursement for as a Tax Help volunteer and how to make a claim, see Tax Help reimbursement guidelines.
National Tax Clinic program
The National Tax Clinic program helps people who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs. The program is available to eligible individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities.
There are 15 Tax Clinics nationally. They operate independently with funding provided by the government and administrative support from the ATO.
Contacting us and next steps
In this section, find out how to contact us and what your next steps are.
Contact us by email
Tax Help documents and enquiries can be sent to: ceataxhelp@ato.gov.au.
Contact us by phone
Clients can contact us by phone on the following numbers:
- 13 28 61 for individual enquiries
- 13 10 20 for superannuation enquiries.
- 13 10 30 for the ATO Indigenous help line
Cards listing these and our other contact numbers are available.
Contact us by mail
Tax Help volunteers and centres can send reimbursement claims, appointment sheets and disclaimers to:
TAX HELP COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE
AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE
REPLY PAID 86344
BRISBANE QLD 4001
It is preferred these documents are sent by email.
Next steps
You have finished this section of Tax Help training. Please ensure you have completed and forwarded the assessments to Tax Help.
You will be contacted to arrange the next part of Tax Help training covering AAP, myTax and tax time updates. This training is closer to tax time.
These sessions will be online. You'll receive an invitation before tax time. Multiple sessions will be held to allow volunteers choose a convenient time to attend.
Return to: Tax Help program training.