ATO irons out e-tax creases - News

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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ATO irons out e-tax creases

By Megan McAuliffe, ZDNet Australia
June 21, 2001
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/soa/ATO-irons-out-e-tax-creases/0,139023165,120233816,00.htm

With the end of the financial year looming, Australians can be as old as -999" and still lodge their tax returns through the Australian Taxation Office's online system, following an overhaul of the e-tax system.

Last year, a taxpayer was unable to lodge a tax return because of her age. The system was only able to recognise a double-digit figure, which proved a problem for the 104 year old.

The system will now accept triple digits.

One major problem surrounding last year's e-tax service was a lack of accessibility in peak times, with some users unable to lodge a return due to the influx of lodgements.

-We've increased our capacity, we believe that people won't have the same problem," ATO project manager e-tax, John McCarthy said.

Last financial year, 117,000 Australians lodged a tax return through the ATO's e-tax service. This year, however, will prove a challenge for the tax office with an expected user-base of 400,000.

According to McCarthy, increased computer power and additional servers have been introduced to support the infrastructure.

-The capacity should hold it," he said.

In addition, the tax office has made a more adjustments this financial year, including a capital gains tax calculator for users.

The service will be up and running on July 2.