2022 Tax-Time Checklist




So, you thought the past 2 years tax returns were complicated - welcome to 2022!


With all the continued changes around COVID-19 with income, allowances, government incentives and the deductions that have been impacted by it, this year more than ever is not the time to just Do-It-Yourself!


Rest assured your 2022 tax return deductions will be under more scrutiny than any year ever before. Even more than previous years - if that was even possible.


But, as always we have your back.


The following is the COMPLETE tax return checklist. We know it is long - but we have done all the hard work for you. It includes the income that you need to declare and the deductions you can claim.


Lets get started....

To ensure you are prepared for your appointment make sure that you have the following information available upon booking:


  1. A copy of last year’s tax return

  2. Bank account details where you would like the refund to be paid to

  3. Photo Identification - new clients only

  4. Income – see breakdown below

  5. Deductions – see breakdown below

  6. Spouse details (married or defacto) – Full name, Date of birth and Taxable income for the year

  7. Number of dependant children

  8. Amount of child support you have paid in the year

Lets break down Income and Deductions....

Income Includes


  • Salary or Wages


Did you know that your employer does not need to supply you with a Payment Summary if they are reporting directly to the ATO?


PAYMENT SUMMARY CHANGES: Please see important information on the changes to Payment Summaries - these are now known as Income Statements you can find this here


If your employer has provided you a copy please let us know and have this available upon request, and if applicable any paid parental leave payments


If you have received Centrelink pandemic leave payments this will be reported on your Centrelink Payment Summary


  • Allowances, earnings, tips, director’s fees etc.


This is usually located on your payment summary. Please be aware that receipt of an allowance does not automatically entitle an employee to a deduction for expenditure to which the allowance relates (e.g. tool allowance).


  • Employer Lump Sum Payments


These payments are in respect of unused annual and long service leave paid out on termination of employment. Label A and B of the client’s PAYG payment summary should contain the relevant information. Also, obtain and attach a copy of a statement of termination from the client’s employer.


  • Employment Termination Payments (ETPs)


Please provide a copy of any ETP payment summaries and employer termination statements.


  • Australian Government allowances and payments like Newstart / JobSeeker, youth allowance and Austudy payment


Provide details of all youth allowances, Newstart / JobSeeker, pandemic leave, sickness allowance or special benefit, or other educational or training allowances. (Please Note: paper copies are no longer sent by Centrelink and will need to be obtained via my.gov)


  • Australian Government pensions and other allowances


(Please Note: paper copies are no longer sent by Centrelink and will need to be obtained via my.gov)


  • Australian annuities and superannuation income streams


Provide details of taxable and rebatable components of pension.


  • Australian superannuation lump sum payments


Superannuation lump sums paid from a taxed source to a person aged 60 or over are tax free. Lump sums paid to persons under 60 are still taxable. Please provide details of these.


  • Gross interest


Interest that has been received or credited in the 2022 Financial Year, from your Bank or Financial Provider


  • Dividends


Unfranked, partly franked and fully franked dividends are assessable for taxation purposes. Please provide copies of your dividend statements.


  • Employee share schemes (ESS)


Please provide details of any Employee Share Schemes.


Please note the discount given on the ‘ESS interest’ (being a share or a right to acquire a share) under the ESS is assessable for taxation purposes unless the deferral concession applies. This assessable discount may be reduced by $1,000 where certain conditions apply.