Tax return deadline: Stolen pants blamed for receipt mishap
As the 2019 tax return deadline rapidly approaches, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has released a list of the most ridiculous excuses given for incomplete or incorrect filings.
Taxpayers need to have their return lodged with the ATO by October 31.
Failing that, they will need to engage a tax agent by that date.
Today the ATO released a list of actual excuses for not doing a tax return correctly.
The 2019 tax return deadline is fast approaching. Supplied
One taxpayer claimed somebody broke into their car and stole their uniform pants.
The stolen pants purportedly contained a vital receipt, and as a consequence, they could not provide a record of their purchases.
Another taxpayer claimed a mouse got into their car and ate their receipts.
And another said their receipts were destroyed in a car wash mishap.
"Leaving receipts in cars seems to frequently cause taxpayers strife," the ATO said in a statement.
"We heard from one taxpayer, who, while trying to get their car squeaky clean, vanished all traces of their purchase."
Lodging a paper tax return is still an option, but the ATO says online is faster and easier. Josh Robenstone/Nine
Another blamed not lodging a tax return on time on "holiday brain" after coming back from a trip.
And others have claimed they do not know what a tax return is.
"Generally, you will need to lodge a tax return if your taxable income was above $18,200 or had tax withheld from your income for the 2018-19 year," the ATO said.
How to file a tax return
Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said filing a tax return is easier and simpler than it has been in the past.
"We know that tax can seem complicated, which is why we see so many people putting it off,"
"People should know that it's actually becoming increasingly quick and painless to lodge your return."
It can be done from the comfort of your living room, Ms Foat said.
"Some taxpayers have even told us that they've completed it whilst on the bus, it's that easy," she said.
"For the majority of taxpayers, this takes less than half an hour."
MyTax is a web-based program that allows people to lodge a return without having to download anything. It can be accessed here.
Paper tax returns can still be lodged, but the ATO warns that it takes longer than online, and refunds are slower to arrive.
Read more: Don't fall for these ATO while filing your return
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