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If
you've been on operations and unable to lodge your tax return,
then you are entitled to defer lodging the return up to
March 31 next year.
Photo by LS Philip Hunt, HMAS Cerberus
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Deferral
tax option
By
Pte John Wellfare
MEMBERS of the ADF who are unable to lodge their tax return on time
due to operational commitments are entitled to defer the lodgement
of their return up to March 31, 2004.
The
deferral option has existed for Defence members for a number of
years, but must be renegotiated each year by the Defence Tax Management
Office (DTMO).
Assistant
Secretary, Treasury and Tax Management with DTMO, Alice Dobes said
DTMO had again been successful in negotiating the extension for
Defence members.
"DTMO
has again successfully negotiated with the Australian Taxation Office
(ATO) a lodgement deferral for ADF personnel who are unable to lodge
their tax return on time due to operational deployments," she
said.
"Operational
deployments refer to peacekeeping, warlike and non-warlike duties
in areas specified in ADF pay and conditions manual."
The
normal due date for lodgement of returns by individual taxpayers,
including ADF members who are not eligible for the deferral, is
October 31.
"Failure
by a taxpayer to lodge a return by the due lodgement date may result
in a penalty being applied," Ms Dobes said.
"Generally,
the penalty for small-sized taxpayers is calculated at the rate
of $110 for each 28 days that a return is overdue to a maximum of
$550."
She
said the lodgement deferral would not be applied automatically.
"If
you are qualified for a lodgement deferral, you or someone you authorise
(eg, your spouse or partner) should contact DTMO by Friday October
24, 2003," she said.
"Upon
contact with DTMO please specify your correct Tax File Number, which
will be conveyed in a secure manner to the ATO so that your deferral
request can be noted in its records."
Ms
Dobes said ADF members were responsible for advising DTMO by the
specified date and lodging their tax return by March 31, 2004.
"However,
if you do not want DTMO to be involved, or to be advised of your
tax file number, you should contact the ATO directly for a deferral."
If
for some reason an ADF member requires a deferral beyond March 31,
the member should contact the ATO directly in order to negotiate
an extension.
Ms
Dobes said DTMO would strictly maintain confidentiality when dealing
with members' details for the purpose of lodgement deferral.
Contact
Details:
DTMO
e-mail: taxation.management@defence.gov.au
Fax: (02) 6265 2648 (+61 for overseas callers)
Phone: 1800 806 053 (in Australia)
Phone: +61 2 6265 7120 (overseas callers)
ATO
Phone: 132 861
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