Documents showing income received:

• payment summaries from your employer and any other paperwork showing your salary, benefits and allowances;
• summaries of benefits received from Centrelink or Veterans Affairs;
• statements showing any dividends or investment income you've received, and bank statements showing any interest you earned on your bank accounts and term deposits etc.

Documents showing tax-deductible expenses:

• receipts for any deductible items you may have paid for (e.g. eligible work or study-related expenses);
• summary statement of payments for private health insurance;
• other health-related receipts which may entitle you to a tax deduction if you are over a certain threshold;
• receipts from registered charities for any tax-deductible donations you have made.

In addition, you'll need any documents showing the sale or purchase of an asset which might be subject to capital gains tax - for example a property (other than your primary residence) or shares. Keep any documents showing the dates these transactions took place. The same applies to dividend reinvestment statements from a unit trust or managed investment fund.

How long do I have to keep these records?

Any records that are used to create your tax return must be kept for five years after you lodge your return. If the Australian Tax Office has any queries about your return, they may wish to see these records to verify certain information. Some records may need to be kept for longer - you should check with your accountant, your registered tax agent, or the Tax Office to find out more.

When do I have to lodge my return?

If you prepare your own tax return (i.e. you don't use the services of a tax agent or your accountant), you'll need to lodge by 31 October 2007. If you think you may have a problem getting the required paperwork by 31 October 2007, call the Tax Office sooner rather than later on 13 28 61 to see if you are able to lodge at a later date.

If you're using a tax agent or accountant for the first time this year, or if you'll be going to a different agent from the one you used last year, you'll need to have your tax appointment before 31 October 2007.

How do I lodge my tax return?

You can lodge a tax return in a number of way...

• By mail: use the TaxPack 2007 to prepare your own tax return and lodge it by mail. You can obtain a TaxPack from your local newsagent, or order one on-line at the Tax Office website - www.ato.gov.au.
• On-line: visit the Tax Office website to find out how to use their e-tax system to lodge your return on-line. Information for e-tax 2007 will be available on their site from 1 July 2007.
• By phone: under certain circumstances, for example if you have very simple tax affairs, you may be eligible to lodge your return by phone. Again, visit the Tax Office website to find out more.
• With help from a professional: you can also use a registered tax agent or an accountant to complete your return on your behalf. Regardless of who completes your tax return, bear in mind that you are ultimately the one signing off on your return, and it is your responsibility to ensure that no errors or omissions occur.

More information

For more information about tax and tax returns, including information about deductions, lodging tax returns, and making tax payments and receiving tax refunds, visit the Australian Tax Office website - www.ato.gov.au. Alternatively, contact your accountant or registered tax agent.

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