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Tax Tips, Guides & Insights
Helpful articles, simple guides, and expert tips to make your tax return faster, easier, and stress-free.
The 2026 Cost of Living Tax Offset: How to Secure Your $1,200
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 56 min read
Side Hustle Tax: How the ATO Tracks Your Online Sales in 2026
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 56 min read
ATO Audit Targets 2026: What the New AI is Watching (And How to Protect Your Refund)
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 Pr
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 45 min read
Maximise Your Refund: 8 Essential Tips for Tax Return Success in 2026
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
What Documents Do I Need for My 2026 Tax Return? (The Ultimate Checklist for Australians)
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
Crypto and Tax in Australia: A Simple 2026 Guide for Beginners
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
The 2026 Guide to Working From Home (WFH) Tax Deduction
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
Common Mistakes That Delay Your Australian Tax Refund in 2026
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
Tax Falcon vs. myTax: Why Expert Support Beats Doing it Yourself
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.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
How to Lodge Your 2026 Tax Return Online in Just 10 Minutes
In 2026, lodging your tax return shouldn't take all weekend. Tax Falcon has engineered a streamlined, 4-step process that takes the average Australian from "Starting" to "Lodged" in exactly 10 minutes.
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
May 46 min read
The $1,000 Standard Tax Deduction: What You Need to Know for 2026-27
The Australian Government has introduced a $1,000 standard tax deduction for work-related expenses. This change is designed to simplify tax time. But hold on! It isn't a "free $1,000 bonus."
Arthur Sterling - Head of Tax Education
Apr 216 min read
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