• individual-tax-return-new-client-checklist

    NEW CLIENT CHECKLIST

    FOR INDIVIDUALS & SOLE TRADERS
  • Before You Begin:
    Save all tax-related files in a folder.
    Or click 👉 to learn how to keep tax records.


    To Save 💾 & Resume your Form later:
    1. Scroll to the bottom and click SAVE.
    2. Click "Skip Sign Up" on the Pop-Up:
     (on mobile, Pop-Up appears at the top of Form).
    3. Enter your email and click ⌯⌲ SEND. 
    4. To RESUME: open the link emailed.

    Email
      
    Phone  Forms Website

  • Email  Phone  Forms Website

     

    The guide below helps you complete this form correctly and efficiently:

    Hold your phone in landscape / horizontal mode if using a phone.

    1. New to Aussie Tax? Our Financial Year (FYE) runs from 1 July to 30 June.

    2. Gather all income & proof of paid work-related deductions for the FYE.

    3. Complete this checklist for each FY, starting with the oldest FY if you have overdue tax lodgements. Do not provide data for multiple people & FYs in 1 submission.

    4. Kindly be honest & provide proof of the following, if applicable:

    • Sale of cryptos, shares, ETFs, bonds, & investment properties, etc.
    • Contracting services: Sole trader or personal services income etc.
    • Investment income: Dividends, rental, interest, crypto rewards etc.
    • Sharing economy income: Airbnb, Uber, Ola, Deliveroo, etc.

    5. Click ‘SAVE’ on the last page and ‘RESUME’ again if it’s partially complete.

    6. Don't provide bits/pieces of info, is time-consuming & may incur admin fees.

  • Part 1: PERSONAL DETAILS

    Att: Returning clients - complete asterisked (*) questions only (unless updating existing details).
  • For the specific tax year you're filing:

    Select 'Existing Sole Trader' if you're a: 

      - Contractor: works project-to-project via ABN.
      - Freelancer: direct client work via ABN.
      - Gig Worker: Uber, Airtasker etc using ABN.
      - Self-Employed: works for yourself via ABN.

  • Date of Birth*
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • Mobile Phone*
  • Add us as an advisor to your Xero accounting software by clicking the link below via info@taxaccountinghouse.au

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  • BANK ACCOUNT for TAX REFUND:*
  • Upload: your PHOTO ID
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  • BUSINESS NAME & ABN REGISTRATION:

  • Type preferred Business Names below:
    Rows
  • Business Name:

    • Stay compliant with ASIC if you trade under a business brand name.
    • Look more professional to customers, partners and banks.
    • Own your brand - register a name no one else take on ASIC.

  • GST Registration: Select yes, if one or more applies to you, and you:

    • expect to earn more than $75,000 per year;
    • want to claim GST credits on business expenses;
    • provide taxi / rideshare services (e.g. Uber), no matter your income;
    • have employees and need to withhold tax from their wages.
  • POST ABN & BUSINESS NAME NEXT STEPS: 

    1. Bank Account Setup: Open a separate business bank account using your ABN and registered business name.

    2. Accounting Software: Subscribe to accounting software (e.g., Xero) and connect your business bank account.

    3. Website: Register a domain name using your ABN and establish your business website.

    4. Business Email: Create a custom domain email address (e.g., via Google Workspace or Microsoft 365).

    5. Superannuation: Plan voluntary super contributions for yourself and set up payroll compliance if hiring employees.

    6. Trade Mark Protection: File a trade mark application with IP Australia to secure legal ownership of your business name and logo, if you wish.
  • Part 2: RESIDENCY & OFFSETS

    If applicable, provide details of Medicare, Private Health Insurance, Spouse, Dependents etc, so we can compute any tax offsets to maximize your return.
  • Date you return to Australia during the FYE?
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • Date you arrived in Australia?
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • Date Ceased
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • This person
  • A dependant for Medicare levy exemption purposes means a person who is:

    - a tax resident for the FYE.
    - you contributed to their maintenance (food, accommodation etc).
    - a spouse (any gender).
    - a child aged under 21 years.
    - a child aged 21 to under 24 years who is a full-time student at a school;
    - and has adjusted taxable income of less than $1,786 for the FYE.

  • Details of the REMOTE areas during the FYE.
  • Details: DEFENCE areas during the FYE (Google ATO QC105019).
  • Upload: MES Exemption
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  • Click 👉 here to see a sample of the private health insurance Tax Statement.

  • Upload: Private Health
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  • Part 3: ASSESSABLE INCOME

    Complete applicable questions only; skip the rest....
  • Upload: Income Statements
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  • Upload: Interest Summary
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  • Dividends are paid by both public & private companies.

    To obtain dividend statements:

    Public Companies:
      1. List all public stocks, ETFs, bonds etc you hold.
      2. Log into each stock's share registry (e.g: Automic).
      3. Download all Dividend & AMMA AMIT statements FYE.
      4. Name File as: YYYY-MM-DD Ticker - File Name - Registry Name.
                              2026-06-30  ANZ.ASX - Dividend - ComputerShare.

    Private Companies: 
     1. Request a Distribution Statement from the company.

  • Dividend Report Table
  • Upload: Dividend Statement
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  • Upload: Dist'n Statements
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  • BUSINESS INCOME (VIA ABN)

    If you earned income as a Sole Trader (ST) or Personal Services Income (PSI), provide the details below. Your Clients already reported those income, your personal and bank account details to the ATO via PSAR on 14 August.

  • Below relates to Sole Trade (ST) and PSI. If you have not prepared a summary of the Income & Expenses Statement for your ST / PSI business; kindly complete the tables below.

    Do not hide your ST / PSI income because your client(s): -

    • will claim a deduction on any payments made to you;
    • and will submit a contractor's Annual Payment Summary to the ATO which includes your:
      • business type e.g. sole trade, trust, partnership company etc.
      • full name and business name;
      • ABN, Address, mobile, telephone, email address.
      • total Amount Paid during the year;
      • your Bank BSB & Account numbers.
  • Please Note:

    1. Do not include salary or wage income and expenses.

    2. Record your sales and expenses using the tables below.

    3. Business-use percentage so expenses can be correctly apportioned.

    4. If registered for GST, report all amounts excluding GST.

    5. If registered (or required to register) for GST, all Business Activity Statements (BAS) through 30 June FYE must be lodged before the ITR.

    6. Once your BASs are lodged, we perform a reconciliation of your Income, Expenses, and GST to ensure accuracy before tax lodgement. Any required amendments will be billed at our hourly rate of $180/hr.

    7. PSI tax schedules start from $495 per schedule.

  • Please Note: 

    1. Do not include salary or wage income and expenses.

    2. Use the below tables to record your Sales & Expenses.

    3. State the business use % so expenses etc can be apportioned.

    4. Include amounts excluding GST, if registered for GST.

    5. If registered for GST, or required to be registered, you must lodge all BASs to 30 June before the tax return can be prepared.

    6. Once the BASs are lodged, we are required to perform Income, Expenses, GST reconciliation, and any amendments before tax lodgement to ensure accurate remittances. Our charge-out rate is $170 per hour for this activity.

    7. The PSI tax schedule fee starts from $495 per schedule.
  • SALES: GST registered - exclude GST amounts (you already reported it via BAS).
  • EXPENSES: GST registered - exclude GST amounts (already claimed it via BAS).
  • MOTOR VEHICLE EXPENSES: if you're GST registered, exclude GST amounts as you already claimed via BAS.
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  • Tools: up to 10 items.
  • Tools: up to 20 items.
  • Tools: up to 40 items.
  • Tools: up to 60 items.
  • Tools: up to 80 items.
  • Tools: up to 80 items.
  • Tools: up to 100 items.
  • Please Note: 

    1. Use the below tables to record your Sales & Expenses.

    2. Do not include income & expenses of salary/wages.

    3. State the business use % so expenses etc can be apportioned.

    4. Include amounts excluding GST, if registered for GST.

    5. If registered for GST, or required to be registered, you must lodge all BASs to 30 June before the tax return can be prepared.

    6. Once the said BASs are lodged, we are required to perform Income, Expenses, GST reconciliation, and any amendments before tax lodgement to ensure accurate remittances. Our charge-out rate is $180 per hour for this activity.

    7. Sole trader tax return fee starts from $495 per schedule.
  • SALES - GST registered: exclude GST amounts as you already reported via BAS.
  • COST of GOODS SOLD: If you're GST registered, exclude GST amounts as you already claimed via BAS.
  • EXPENSES - GST registered, exclude GST amounts as you already claimed via BAS.
  • MOTOR VEHICLE EXPENSES: If you're GST registered, exclude GST amounts as you already claimed via BAS.
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  • Tools: up to 10 items.
  • Tools: up to 20 items.
  • Tools: up to 40 items.
  • Tools: up to 60 items.
  • Tools: up to 80 items.
  • Tools: up to 100 items.
  • Shares are sold / disposed by both public & private companies.

    To obtain your holding statements:

    Public Companies:
      1. List all public stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, gold etc you hold.
      2. Log into each stock's share Registries (e.g: Automic).
      3. Download all Chess Holding statements FYE.
      4. Name File as: YYYY-MM-DD Ticker - File Name- Registry Name.
                              2026-06-30  BHP.asx - Chess Statement - ComputerShare.

      5. Brokers: Upload the Portfolio Statement for the FYE.pdf
    & Full Transaction/Trade History.csv.

    Private Companies: 
     1. Request the Holding Statement from the company.



  • Upload: SHARES Docs
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  • 1. CENTRALISED EXCHANGES (CEX) - export:
    - Tax Report.
    - Full Transaction History: Buy/Sell/Deposit/Withdrawal (CSV).
    - Futures
    Trade History: all Executed Orders.

    - Futures Income
    History:
       * funding fees paid/received,
       * commissions, and
       * realized Profit & Loss.

    2. DECENTRALISED PLATFORMS (DEX): complete, save
    & upload this 
    SPREADSHEET via the button below.

    3. DERIVATIVES: follow step 2, also export
    and upload 
    the DEX interface reports showing:
     - Realized PnL (Profit & Loss),
     - Funding Payments, and
     - Liquidation Fees.

    4. Used KOINLY?: upload full Tax Report.

    NEVER provide your private key or seed phrases.

  • Input On-Chain Details.
  • Upload: CRYPTO Docs
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  • Declare all sales or disposals,
    even if fully or partiallyy exempt (e.g: PPoR).

    click this 👉 hyperlink to download, complete, save and re-upload Capital Gains or Loss Template in the Property CGT doc button below.

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  • Organize your documents by property before uploading:

    1. Click  👉 to learn How to keep property records.
    2. Save all of the income and Rental Expenses in its exact property folder.
      • Real Estate Agent Annual Rental Statement
      • Bank Loan Statements (showing annual interest charged)
      • Depreciation Schedule (if applicable). Otherwise, you may obtain it via DuoTax or TDA Tax qualified surveyors:

      • If self-managed: Download and complete our 👉 [Rental Spreadsheet Template] & save it in the respective 🏠 folder.
  • Upload: Rental Documents
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  • Please Note: 

    1. You must lodge all up to 30 June before tax preparation.

    2. Once lodged, we will reconcile your income, expenses, and GST, making any necessary amendments prior to tax lodgement ($180/hr).

    3. Upload your tax statements (e.g., Uber) via the button below.

    4. Upload all lodged BASs via the button below.

    5. Sharing economy tax schedules start at $110 per schedule.

  • Add us as an Xero advisor to your accounting software by clicking the link below via info@taxaccountinghouse.au

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  • Check the types of FOREIGN Income & upload supporting documents:
  • Foreign Income Details (No $ Sign in Col D)
  • Upload: Foreign Income Doc
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  • Part 4: DEDUCTIONS related Salary/Wages only.

    Answer applicable questions only, otherwise skip.
  • To claim a deduction for work-related expenses YOU MUST MEET ALL OF THE ATO'S 3 GOLD RULES:

    1. You must have spent the money and not been reimbursed,
    2. The  claim must be directly related to earning your taxable income, 
    3. You must have records to prove it.

    If total claims = $300 or more per tax return (not per item). Provide details and upload evidence.

  • Date Logbook Starts
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • Date Logbook Ends
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • MOTOR VEHICLE COSTS: Provide Proof (Lease / loan Docs, invoices, registration papers etc
  • Bought Parts for MV / Car During the FYE? (for Depreciation Calculation)
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  • - Uniform must be unique (e.g: have employer's logo).
    - Occupation specific (e.g: police uniforms, judge's robe).
    - Protective clothing (e.g: trademan's hi-vis vests).
    - Can't claim plain clothes (suit, shirt etc) even if its worn for work.

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  • Washing: provide details below.
  • Upload: Uniform Docs
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  • Trip Start Date
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • Trip End Date
     / /
    2 digit day, 2 digit month, 4 digit year
  • TRAVEL DIARY DETAILS:
  • Activity Details: input time in 24-hour Format (HH:MM E.g: 20:06)
  • If you were required to travel away from home overnight (Interstate, Overseas, Remote areas). You can claim Travel & Accommodation costs e.g. taxi, train, airfares, tolls, parking fees, meals and other incidental costs.
  • Upload: TRAVEL COSTS
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  • Details: Travel from Work-to-Uni and Vice Versa
  • Upload: Education Costs
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  • Study from Home Details:
  • Browse Files
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  • PHONE HANDSET DETAILS: for Depreciation Expense Calculation.
  • Browse Files
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  • SIM PLAN/PREPAID DETAILS: for Sim Expense Calculation.
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  • There are 3 methods to calculate work home office (WFH) expenses depending on your circumstances: 

    1. Shortcut method: Covid-19 periods.
    2. Fixed-Rate Method: Non-Covid-19 periods.
    3. Actual Cost Method: *Requires intensive calculation, cost an addition fee $100 and does not guarantee a better deduction outcome*.
  • SHORTCUT & FIXED-RATE METHODS: complete the table below. These methods requires record keeping of timesheets, rosters, diaries & entries.
  • ACTUAL COST METHOD - TABLE 1: ensure the below items haven't been claimed under Tools & Equipment above.
  • ACTUAL COST METHOD - TABLE 2:
  • If you had to buyt tools and equipment to earn your income, you can claim a depreciation for some or all of the costs, including insurance for the items: -

    Protective items: e.g. hard hats, goggles, sunglasses, sunscreens, and cosmetics containing sun protection if you work outdoors.

    Technical instruments: stethoscope, thermometer, tongue depressor, calculator, computers & software,

    Work Equipment: desks, brief cases, chairs, lamps, filing cabinets.

    Hand tools: spanners, hammers, screwdrivers, grinders, sanders, hammer drills & toolboxes.

    Provide list of individual items or set, purchased, and upload supporting documents below. Do Not include items acquired via salary packaging.

  • Tools & Equipment: 10 Rows
  • Tools & Equipment: 20 Rows
  • Tools & Equipment: 40 Rows
  • Tools & Equipment: 60 Rows
  • Tools & Equipment: 80 Rows
  • Tools & Equipment: 100 Rows
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  • You may be entitled to other work re-lated expenses that are not listed elsewhere in Part 4. Example, medical professionals may be able to claim: -

    • Insurance & Registration: indemnity insurance, registration renewal fees.
    • Overtime Meals (OTM): bought during overtime (must received OTM allowance).
    • Subscriptions: Medical journals, reference publications.
    • Union & Membership: AMA, AHPRA, relevant professional association fees.
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  • Upload: Dividend Costs
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  • You cannot claim WITHOUT receiving the Written Acknowledgment. Go obtain this from your Superfund, 'SAVE' & 'RESUME' the checklist later.

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  • Complete the Table below! This is Not Employer / Salary Sacrifice Super Cont'n:
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  • Part 5: DECLARATION

  • GREAT WORK! WELL DONE!

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  • Review to ensure all data and documents provided above are correct.

    This checklist is not exhaustive, thus, email us any additional relevant data. 

    DECLARATION: By submitting this form, I confirm that:

    1. I appoint Veronique Dang t-as Tax & Accounting House (TAH) (RAN: 25802656) to prepare & file my ITR or the service listed in Question 1).

    2. Accuracy: All data provided in this submission is true and correct.

    3. Sole Trader: I've read, signed & also submitted the Engagement Letter.

    4. TAH will Lodge my ITR & other services once EFT Payment is received.

    5. ATO ITR Processing: The ATO typically issues a Notice of Assessment (NOA) within 12 business days of filing, and any tax refund will be deposited by the ATO into my nominated account.

    6. Government Debts: TAH is not responsible for refund discrepancies, offsets, or withholding resulting from other Govt debts (E.g. Centrelink).
  • Signature*
  • Should be Empty: