ATO Warns Millions of Australians Over Dodgy Tax Return Claims

Australians are being urged to double-check their tax returns after the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) revealed a significant number of incorrect claims. Millions of Australians claimed work-related expenses and donations, totaling billions of dollars. Many of these claims, particularly those relating to working from home, have been rejected by the ATO. Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson stated, "We had someone this year who tried to claim their engagement ring as a donation." He also highlighted the issue of people claiming car expenses separately, despite the existence of simplified methods for claiming these expenses. The ATO is encouraging taxpayers to use the available methods, such as the fixed rate method for work-from-home expenses, to ensure accuracy. Thomson advised taxpayers to "Not lodge too early," suggesting they wait until the end of July to ensure all information is correctly included. The ATO's actions serve as a timely reminder of the importance of accurate tax reporting.