Separating Fact from Fiction: Tax Return Myths Impacting Perth Taxpayers

Sun, 20 Jul 2025

Tax time comes around every year. Some people are ready for it. Most people aren’t.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll just do what I did last year,” or “I don’t earn much, so I’m probably fine,”—this one’s for you.

Because honestly? A lot of folks in Perth are still falling for the same tax return myths. Some of them seem harmless, but they can actually end up costing you money, time, or both. And look, you don’t have to know every rulATO e out there (that’s our job), but knowing what’s not true can save you from a lot of stress.

Let’s walk through a few common ones you might’ve heard—and explain what’s really going on.

Myth 1: “I didn’t earn much, so I don’t need to lodge a tax return.”

This one comes up all the time. And yep, it’s confusing.

So here’s the deal: If you made less than the tax-free threshold (currently $18,200) and no tax was taken out of your pay, then you might not need to lodge a return. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.

Sometimes, even if you earn under that amount, you need to send in what’s called a non-lodgment notice. It basically tells the ATO, “Hey, I don’t need to lodge this year.” If you don’t do that, the ATO might think you just forgot, and you could get unnecessary follow-ups.

Also, if you had any tax taken out (even from casual or part-time jobs), you might be owed a refund. But you won’t see that money unless you lodge.

Best move? Ask a tax return accountant in Perth to check it for you. Quick, simple, no stress.

Myth 2: “All my work expenses are tax-deductible.”

Wouldn’t that be nice?

But nope—it doesn’t work like that. You can only claim expenses that:

Are directly connected to your job
Weren’t already reimbursed by your boss
And yep, you’ll need proof (like receipts or logs)

If you bought a work shirt, paid for extra data to use your phone for work, or bought some tools, you might be able to claim it. But not everything qualifies. And claiming random stuff (like personal clothes or gym gear) just because you “sometimes use it for work”? That can land you in hot water.

The ATO is keeping a close eye on this stuff. They’re checking more returns than ever. We’ve seen people accidentally trigger an audit by copying what their friend claimed.

Don’t guess. It’s better to have a personal tax accountant in Perth help you figure it out properly.

Myth 3: “Doing it online myself is always cheaper.”

Not necessarily.

Online tax software is everywhere now. It looks easy. And if you’ve got a super simple situation (one job, no side hustle, no extras), it might work fine.

But if you:

Have multiple income sources (like a small business or freelancing)
Do contract or tradie work
Invested in shares or crypto
Own a rental property.…then DIY can go wrong fast.

Even missing one deduction or overclaiming something small can mess up your refund—or worse, lead to ATO problems. We've seen people lose out on hundreds (sometimes more) just because they didn’t know what they could and couldn’t do.

On the flip side, getting help from a proper tax return accountant in Perth doesn’t cost as much as you might think—and their fee is usually tax deductible too.

Also, people who use tax agents tend to get bigger refunds. That’s not a guess. It’s based on ATO data.

Myth 4: “The ATO will fix any mistakes I make.”

This is a dangerous one.

The ATO does use some smart tools to check info from banks, employers, and other government departments. But that doesn’t mean they’ll fix your errors for you. If you leave something out or get your numbers wrong, they might not catch it until much later—and by then, you could owe money or face penalties.

Sometimes you won’t even know there’s a problem until you get a letter.

It’s not worth risking that. Getting it right the first time is always better (and way less stressful). That’s why working with someone who knows the ATO system inside out can make such a difference.

Myth 5: “I’ll worry about bookkeeping at the end of the year.”

We hear this one mostly from sole traders and side hustlers.

Here’s the thing: If you don’t track things properly all year, you’re probably losing money without realising it. People forget what they spent. They lose receipts. They miss out on deductions. Or they get overwhelmed and just throw it all into a spreadsheet in June (hoping for the best).

With proper business bookkeeping services, all of that changes. You’ve got clear records, fewer surprises, and a way easier time at tax season.

So if you’re running a small business or doing freelance gigs, keeping your books up to date matters more than you think.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Tax returns don’t have to be scary—but they do require a bit of know-how.

Falling for these myths can cost you. Not just money, but peace of mind too.

Here’s what we recommend:

If you’re not sure whether to lodge, ask
If you’re unsure about claims, check before you submit
If your income is more than a simple salary, get professional help

At WMK Accounting, we work with all kinds of clients across Perth—from students and first-time lodgers to families and sole traders. Whether you just need someone to double-check your return, or you want the whole process handled for you, we’re happy to help.

We’ll keep it simple, speak your language, and help you get it done right.