<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Tax Falcon]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tax Falcon]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 15:42:43 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The 2026 Cost of Living Tax Offset: How to Secure Your $1,200]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Cost of Living Tax Offset (CLTO) is a temporary measure for the 2025–26 tax return. It provides up to $1,200 in tax relief, but the amount you get depends entirely on your taxable income.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/cost-of-living-tax-offset-2026-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f975b3b27e981e27c5ff9b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 04:51:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_ce949583e4bc4685ac410b942464bc6c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Top 5 Things to Do Before June 30 to Maximise Your 2026 Tax Refund]]></title><description><![CDATA[To get the biggest possible refund this July, you must act before the clock strikes midnight on June 30, 2026. Once the new financial year starts, these opportunities vanish. Your "EOFY Action Plan" should include these things.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/top-5-tax-tips-before-june-30-2026-maximise-tax-refund</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f96b566d919e5ce86ef6cd</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 04:15:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_b5d8123947294dbc924eed2bdf973887~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Claim Your Gym Membership on Tax (The 2026 Reality)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Quick Answer: The "Fitness" Truth for 2026 Can you claim your gym membership on your 2025–26 tax return? For 99% of Australians, the answer is No. Even if your boss tells you to stay fit, or you need to be in shape to do your job, the ATO generally views fitness as a "private expense." The Exceptions (The 1%): You can only claim gym fees if your role requires an extraordinary level of fitness for which you are regularly tested. This includes: ADF Special Forces: Commandos, SAS, and clearance...]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/can-i-claim-gym-membership-on-tax-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f9601fb27e981e27c5d09a</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 03:54:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_6f62751c009148f78c9d6c512cee5c95~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aussie Students and Tax: How to Get Your First Tax Return in 10 Mins (2026)]]></title><description><![CDATA[If this is your first time dealing with the ATO, don't panic. For the 2025–26 financial year, here is the "Cheat Sheet" for students.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/aussie-student-first-tax-return-guide-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f95da9b27e981e27c5cb23</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 03:10:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_6fe0b53bd6704c5088e91cc291462ad5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The $1,000 Tax "Fast Claim" vs. Itemising: A Real-World Test]]></title><description><![CDATA[Starting in the 2025–26 financial year, the ATO has introduced a simplified way to claim work-related expenses. You now face a choice between two paths:  The $1,000 "Fast Claim" (Standard Deduction) and Itemising (Actual Expenses).]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/1000-fast-claim-standard-deduction-vs-itemising-2026-test</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f94b5ce3c7590125177fa1</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 01:54:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_ab4c9e246696479380acbea4081aea81~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Side Hustle Tax: How the ATO Tracks Your Online Sales in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[In 2026, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) uses a sophisticated web of automated systems to track side hustle income. If you sell goods or services online, the ATO likely already knows your earnings through three primary channels.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/how-the-ato-tracks-online-side-hustle-sales-tax-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f94984b27e981e27c59bbb</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 01:42:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_e2b1587ad80146f0a5cbf7365ee0bc27~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Claiming Car Expenses in 2026: Cents per KM vs. Logbook]]></title><description><![CDATA[In 2026, the ATO provides two main ways to claim the cost of using your own car for work. The "best" method depends on how much you drive and what records you’ve kept.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/claiming-car-expenses-cents-per-km-vs-logbook-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f94568334539e40d333c6e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 01:33:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_456cab78db194b8bab7087f0cbdb8008~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tax Deductions for Nurses &#38; Healthcare Workers: The 2026 List]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you work in nursing, midwifery, or direct healthcare, your 2026 tax return is likely more valuable than the average Australian's. Because of your professional requirements, you have access to a specific set of deductions. Here is your "Essential 5" for the 2025–26 financial year.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/tax-deductions-for-nurses-healthcare-workers-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f94258b27e981e27c58ccb</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 01:16:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_5585ca8901454feb9c6c6da67c34918c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Medicare Levy Surcharge 2026: The New Income Thresholds]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is an extra tax (on top of the standard 2% Medicare Levy) paid by Australians who earn over a certain amount and do not have appropriate private hospital cover. For the 2025–26 financial year, the thresholds have increased.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/medicare-levy-surcharge-thresholds-2026-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f93fd56d919e5ce86e94f0</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 01:04:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_a50fa2f65a3b4020a3a5c419efd5ebaf~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Gig Economy Tax Guide: Uber, Menulog &#38; Airtasker in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you earn money through a digital platform in Australia, the ATO views you as a sole trader (a small business owner), not an employee. Here is the 2026 essentials list.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/gig-economy-side-hustle-tax-guide-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f84a8f5caf4ed272b9671c</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 00:52:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_d1934c5b07874577a0743492d063ed11~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ETFs and Your 2026 Australian Tax Return: How to Read Your Annual Statement]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you hold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) like VGS, VAS, or DHHF, you won't get a "group certificate." Instead, you receive an AMMA (Attribution Managed Investment Trust Member Annual) Statement. Here are the 2026 essentials.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/etf-tax-return-guide-australia-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f84d475caf4ed272b96cfe</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 00:35:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_adbc6dc1cbc04026adb0fbc213bfbcbd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[HECS/HELP Tax Indexation 2026: Should You Pay It Off Early?]]></title><description><![CDATA[The 2025–26 financial year has brought the biggest changes to student loans in Australian history. If you are deciding whether to make a voluntary repayment before the 1 June 2026 indexation deadline, here is the essential data.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/hecs-help-tax-indexation-guide-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f848086d919e5ce86c759f</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 07:26:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_597eca955cda4eb3bb14c29a6d2c2bc9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ATO Audit Targets 2026: What the New AI is Watching (And How to Protect Your Refund)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Quick Answer: The 2026 "Red Flag" ATO Audit Target List The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced its primary focus areas for the 2025–26 tax season. If your return includes any of the following, the new AI-driven "Data Matching" system will be looking at you closely: Side Hustles: Income from Uber, Airbnb, Airtasker, or eBay. Crypto Swaps: High-frequency digital asset trades and staking. Work-from-Home (WFH): Over-claiming hours without a 12-month logbook. Rental Properties:...]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/ato-audit-targets-2026-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f845e3356085c6404e64ef</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 07:15:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_f10978797b814d269bf31db26fa61e52~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Maximise Your Refund: 8 Essential Tips for Tax Return Success in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[To get the largest legal tax refund this year, you need to focus on three key pillars: Timing, Substantiation, and Expert Review. Here are the top 5 ways to increase your return.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/maximise-your-tax-refund-8-essential-tips-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f83f496d919e5ce86c649d</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 06:51:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_e3218057a6f74bbfbd7eae8ceb13699b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Documents Do I Need for My 2026 Tax Return? (The Ultimate Checklist for Australians)]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you are in a rush, here are the absolute essentials you need to have ready before you log into Tax Falcon to lodge your 2025–26 tax return.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/tax-return-checklist-australia-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f83c376d919e5ce86c5f08</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 06:38:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_74435666a47146d78e9d67aa95321a0b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_584,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Crypto and Tax in Australia: A Simple 2026 Guide for Beginners]]></title><description><![CDATA[In Australia, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) does not view cryptocurrency as money. Instead, it is treated as property and is subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Here is the fast summary for the 2025–26 financial year.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/crypto-and-tax-in-australia-a-simple-2026-guide-for-beginners</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f839c7356085c6404e4e54</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 06:24:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_b269bf13d6494d63a5e17e08f6dc4bbb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 2026 Guide to Working From Home (WFH) Tax Deduction]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you worked from home during the 2025–26 financial year, the ATO has specific rules you must follow. Here is the "Fast-Fact" summary.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/working-from-home-wfh-tax-deduction-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f8373bb27e981e27c34678</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 06:14:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_9fbdfa2217504809a25b9ad2eb98daa7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Much Does an Online Tax Agent Cost? (Tax Agent Fees in Australia in 2026)]]></title><description><![CDATA[n Australia, the cost of a tax return depends on how complex your finances are. For an online service like Tax Falcon, you can expect transparent, flat-fee pricing that is significantly lower than a traditional high-street accountant.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/tax-agent-fees-in-australia-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f831126d919e5ce86c4ac6</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 06:04:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_ffb4efb721ae4284acf72704735170f2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Common Mistakes That Delay Your Australian Tax Refund in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most simple, electronically lodged Australian tax returns are processed within 12 business days. If yours is taking longer, it is likely due to one of the following "High-Frequency" errors.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/common-tax-refund-mistakes-delays-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f8254f5caf4ed272b9210c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 04:58:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_bfbecc3066e842c0bac5382accb6c19d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tax Falcon vs. myTax: Why Expert Support Beats Doing it Yourself]]></title><description><![CDATA[Is it better to lodge your tax return for free via MyGov (myTax) or pay a small fee for Tax Falcon? Here is the bottom line for 2026.]]></description><link>https://www.taxfalcon.com.au/post/tax-falcon-vs-mygov-mytax-comparison</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f81413981e3dffa6406552</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 03:48:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/33f439_519ebc6e63f144a4934e508fa1c20396~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_541,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>