Hey there, tax enthusiasts! 🌟
That’s right—it’s almost that time again. The 2025 Income Tax Return season is just around the corner, and here at Growthwise, we're gearing up to make it as painless (and maybe even fun?) as possible.
We’ve revamped things a little, but the heart of it remains the same—we’re here to help you get sorted, stress-free.
2025 Tax Return completion options
Option 1 – Online Checklist
Pop on your comfy pants, fire up the laptop, and tackle your return checklist from the couch (hot beverage optional, but encouraged ☕). Our online checklist will walk you through everything step-by-step, and we’ll email you if we need more info once it’s done. Any questions we have will be emailed to you when we are preparing your return.
Option 2 – Checklist + Phone Chat
Got questions? Need to talk it out? Book in a quick call with us (we’ve got selected Saturday spots). No dressing up required—just grab your phone, and we’ll answer any questions you have. NOTE, you still need to complete the checklist BEFORE your appointment.
Option 3 – Checklist + Face-to-Face
Prefer the old-fashioned way? If your return is a bit complex or you’d just rather chat in person, we’ve reserved some Saturday sessions at HQ just for that. NOTE, you still need to complete the checklist BEFORE your appointment.
🗓️ Key Dates to Know
We’re kicking off July 19th, and the final curtain falls on October 31st. That gives you plenty of time to get organised—but don’t leave it to the last minute, okay? 😉
🚀 How to Get Started
Step 1: Complete the Online Checklist
Imagine yourself, checklist in hand, conquering tax chaos from the comfort of your own home. Our smart form tailors the questions based on what you tell it—so you only answer what’s actually relevant.
👉 Important: You’ll need all your info ready—like receipts, rental property statements etc—before you start. You can’t save the form once you begin, so only start when you’re ready (Note, the form isn’t able to be completed until 1st July).
Step 2: Send Us Your Receipts
Got a folder full of digital receipts? You can upload them right inside the checklist. Prefer old-school? Email your itemised list to [email protected] or post/drop off copies:
Mail: PO Box 2283, DANGAR NSW 2309
Drop-off: 59 Parry Street, NEWCASTLE WEST (Just slide it under the door if we’re not around—but don’t forget to add your name + phone number!)
Step 3 (Optional): Book an Appointment
Need that personal touch? Our team (Alan, Steph & Chris) are ready to help. Book your phone or in-person session—but remember, you still need to complete the checklist before your appointment.
On the day, keep your eyes peeled for a call from 0249278982
💸 Check Our Pricing
We keep things transparent and fair—check out the latest pricing here so you know exactly what to expect.
PS: Yes, we like to keep things light-hearted around here, but rest assured—we take your tax return seriously. We’re all about precision, professionalism, and peace of mind.
Let the 2025 tax tango begin 💃🕺
We’ve updated our FAQ page on the website again this year so you can check that out here. For some quick answers…..
When will you do my return?
If you complete the checklist by midnight Thursday, we will prepare your return on the Saturday. Reminder we don’t start returns until the 19th July.
How much are returns this year?
A full list of our services and pricing can be found here.
How do I pay?
We will send you an Invoice once your return is completed. You can pay via Credit Card, Debit Card or Direct into our bank account by simply clicking the link in the Invoice.
When does my return get lodged?
We are using the same Taxation Software as we normally do, which means your Income Tax Return will be emailed to you for approval. You simply need to click the button to follow the prompts and put your electronic signature on the return and finalise. Once you have paid your invoice your return is then lodged directly with the ATO.
🔎 What’s the ATO Watching Closely in 2025?
As we dive into tax time for 2025, the ATO has once again flagged several areas they'll be keeping a close eye on. Here's what you need to know to stay on their good side 👇
🧾 Work-Related Deductions
The ATO is on the lookout for dodgy deductions—and they’ve seen some wild ones! From air fryers to designer handbags and even swimwear for truck drivers... no, really.
What this means for you: The ATO will be data matching everything. Trying to claim more than what is expected for your occupation will certainly put you on an audit list. To claim a deduction the expense needs to be directly related to earning your income and make sure you’ve got records to back it up (think receipts, invoices, etc).
🏡 Working From Home Expenses
Working from home? You’ve got two methods to claim expenses:
Actual cost method (you claim each individual cost).
Revised fixed rate method – 70 cents/hour for energy, internet, phone and stationery.
Important rules this year:
You must track every single hour you work from home—no estimates or 4-week sample diaries.
You need at least one piece of evidence for each type of running cost you’re claiming.
No double dipping: If you use the 70c/hour method, don’t claim phone or internet separately. We’ve put together the ins and outs of claiming these deductions here.
🏘️ Rental Property Claims
The ATO has found that 9 out of 10 rental property returns have errors—so this area is under the microscope again.
Key things to get right:
Repairs vs. Capital Improvements: Repairs (like fixing a fence) can usually be claimed straight away. But replacing major things (like a new hot water system or major renovations) must be depreciated over time.
Loan Interest: Only claim interest on the portion of the loan used for the rental. If you’ve redrawn for personal reasons (like school fees or holidays), that part can’t be claimed.
Co-ownership: Expenses must be split based on legal ownership—not who actually paid them.
Availability for Rent: You can only claim deductions for the periods your property was genuinely available to rent. If you use your holiday house over Christmas, those weeks can’t be claimed.
🚘 Gig Economy & Side Hustles
Earning money on the side through Uber, Airbnb, Airtasker, Camplify or even selling things online?
Heads up: These platforms are now legally required to report your earnings to the ATO.
So, if you don’t declare this income, there’s a good chance the ATO will follow up with a "please explain". This then results not only in more tax, but also in fines and penalties.
📚 Record Keeping is Key
Across all areas, the message is clear: no records = no deduction.
Make sure you’ve:
Got receipts or invoices for every claim
Tracked hours and usage accurately
Told us about all your income streams, yep Crypto included
More Info
We’ve also put together some handy info on what you can claim, what records you need to keep and what’s new. Just click on the blog posts below for more detail.
