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Centrelink recipients offered free tax advice: ‘The ATO can help’

Services Australia has confirmed Aussies on Centrelink can access free tax help.

Eliza Bavin
·Personal Finance Editor
·2-min read
A composite image of a Centrelink sign with logo and tax return forms.
Centrelink recipients can get free assistance with lodging their tax returns. (Source: AAP / Getty)

It’s tax time and, in the coming weeks, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be either refunding Aussies some of their hard-earned cash or asking for others to repay debts.

Services Australia has confirmed that Aussies on Centrelink payments can access free assistance with lodging their tax returns.

“If you get a Centrelink payment, you may need to lodge a tax return. Or you might need to tell us that you don't need to lodge one. The ATO has a free service to help you,” Services Australia said.

“If you earn $60,000 or less, an ATO-accredited volunteer can help you lodge your tax return online.”

Services Australia said the ATO would also be able to help Centrelink recipients:

  • Create a myGov account

  • Lodge an amendment to their tax return

  • Claim a refund of franking credits

You can speak to a Tax Help volunteer online, by phone, or in person at a Tax Help centre across Australia.

When can I lodge my tax return?

Aussies on Centrelink have been told to wait to lodge their tax returns until the end of July - when all pre-fill information should have been provided to the ATO.

“Once all your information pre-fills in myTax, you won’t need to get a Centrelink Payment Summary to lodge your tax return,” Services Australia said.

“Pre-fill means less work for you and helps you get your tax return right the first time. We’ll send you a letter if there’s a change to your 2022-23 Centrelink Payment Summary details and we’ll also update the ATO.

“If you’re lodging your tax return and it doesn’t match your letter, enter the details from your letter into your return. If you’ve lodged and your payment summary details change, you‘ll need to amend your tax return. If you need help to amend it, contact the ATO via their website.”

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