Frequently Asked Questions Made Simple
Everything you need to know about lodging with Tax Falcon, from pricing to deductions to the ATO process. Pick a category below to find your answer.
Questions
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Category tabs: General · Pricing · Student Returns · Standard Returns · Sole Traders, Property & Investors · Deductions & Records · Lodging & the ATO
General
What is Tax Falcon?
Tax Falcon is an online tax return service for Australians. You answer a few simple questions, we check your eligible deductions, and a certified tax agent reviews everything before it's lodged with the ATO.
How does Tax Falcon work?
Create your account, tell us about your income and expenses for the year, and we'll pull in available ATO information automatically. Once everything is checked, a certified tax agent reviews your return before it's lodged.
Is Tax Falcon a registered tax agent?
Yes. Every return is reviewed and lodged by a certified, registered tax agent before it goes to the ATO.
How long does it take to get my refund?
Once your return is lodged, the ATO generally processes refunds within around two weeks, though this can vary depending on your circumstances.
Is my information secure?
Yes. Your personal and financial details are encrypted and only used to prepare and lodge your tax return.
Pricing
Is the price really all I pay?
Yes. The flat fee for your plan covers ATO pre-fill, deduction checks and a full review by a certified tax agent, with no hidden extras.
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
Where eligible, you can choose to have our fee deducted from your refund once it's issued, so there's nothing to pay before you lodge.
How do I know which plan is right for me?
The Student plan suits full time students, the Standard plan suits most working Australians, and the Sole Traders and Advanced plan suits sole traders, property owners and investors.
Is the fee tax deductible?
Yes. The cost of managing your tax affairs can generally be claimed as a deduction the following year.
Can I switch plans if my return turns out more complex?
Yes. If extra schedules apply once you get started, we'll let you know and confirm the right plan and price before your return is completed.
âš Two of the Pricing-category answers here drift slightly from the same questions on the standalone Tax Return Pricing page reviewed earlier in this session: (1) this page's on-page text reads “Do I have to pay anything upfront?” while the Pricing page's on-page text reads “Do I have to pay upfront?” — same meaning, different wording; and (2) the “How do I know which plan is right for me?” answer here drops a trailing sentence present on the Pricing page (“If you're not sure, start your return and we'll confirm the right fit before anything is lodged.”) and renames “the Advanced plan” to “the Sole Traders and Advanced plan.” Worth deciding on one canonical wording and syncing both pages.
Student Returns
How much does a student tax return cost?
A Tax Falcon Student Tax Return costs $69 for full time students.
Can I get a tax refund as a student?
You may be entitled to a refund if tax was withheld from your income and your final tax calculation shows you've paid more than required.
Do I need to lodge a tax return if I'm a full time student?
Not every student needs to lodge. It depends on your income, tax withheld and individual circumstances.
Can I claim my laptop or textbooks?
You may be able to claim the work related portion of eligible equipment and study expenses when they meet the ATO's requirements.
Does HECS HELP affect my student tax return?
Your HECS HELP or other study loan may affect your tax position once your repayment income reaches the applicable threshold. Repayments themselves are never tax deductible.
Standard Returns
How much does a standard tax return cost?
A Tax Falcon Standard Tax Return costs $88, with no extra charges for deduction checks, ATO pre-fill or agent review.
What if I had more than one job during the year?
That's okay. Income from all of your jobs is included in your tax return at no extra cost. Tax Falcon brings your income information together so your return is prepared correctly.
What can I claim as a work related deduction?
You may be able to claim eligible work related expenses such as uniforms, phone and internet use, travel, tools and equipment. Specific ATO rules apply to each.
What if I don't get a refund, or I owe money?
If you've paid the right amount of tax, or less than required, you may not receive a refund and could have tax payable. This depends on your income, tax withheld and personal circumstances.
Do I need to lodge a tax return every year?
Not everyone needs to lodge. It depends on your income, tax withheld and individual circumstances each year.
Sole Traders, Property & Investors
How much does the Sole Traders and Advanced Tax Return cost?
A Tax Falcon Sole Traders and Advanced Tax Return costs $229, with no extra charges for deduction checks, ATO pre-fill or agent review.
Do I need a separate tax return for my business?
No. As a sole trader, your business income and expenses are reported in your individual tax return alongside any other income you earn during the year.
What about my rental property?
Rental income and related expenses such as loan interest, agent fees, insurance and depreciation are included in your return as a rental schedule.
What about shares, managed funds or capital gains?
Dividends, managed fund distributions and any capital gain or loss from selling shares, crypto or property need to be reported. We work out what applies to you.
Do I need to register for GST?
If your business turnover reaches $75,000 or more in a financial year, GST registration is compulsory. Below that, it's optional and depends on what suits your business.
Does Tax Falcon lodge my BAS as well?
Our Sole Traders and Advanced Tax Return covers your annual return. If you also need help with quarterly BAS lodgement, get in touch with our team to find out how we can assist.
Deductions & Records
What can I claim as a deduction?
What you can claim depends on your situation, but common deductions include work related travel, uniforms, phone and internet use, tools and equipment, home office costs and business running expenses. Specific ATO rules apply to each.
What records do I need to keep?
The ATO generally requires income and expense records to be kept for five years. We'll guide you through what's needed for your return as you go.
What if I don't have receipts for everything?
Some deductions have limited exceptions where a receipt isn't required, but in most cases you'll need proof of purchase to make a claim. We'll let you know what applies as you prepare your return.
Can Tax Falcon help me find deductions I might miss?
Yes. Every return is checked for eligible deductions based on your occupation and circumstances, so you're not leaving money on the table.
Lodging & the ATO
When is the tax return deadline in Australia?
The Australian financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. If you lodge your own tax return, the usual deadline is 31 October.
What does ATO pre-fill mean?
ATO pre-fill is information the ATO already holds, such as your income statements and health fund details. We pull this in automatically so you don't have to enter it manually.
How long does the ATO take to process my return?
Most electronically lodged returns are processed within around two weeks, though it can take longer if the ATO needs to check anything.
Can Tax Falcon access my myGov account?
No. As your registered tax agent, we access your ATO information directly through the tax agent portal, not through your personal myGov login.
What happens after I lodge my return?
Once your return is reviewed by a certified tax agent and lodged, the ATO takes over processing. You'll be notified once your notice of assessment is ready.
Why Tax Falcon
A Service You Can Trust
Registered Tax Agents
Every return is reviewed and lodged by a certified, registered tax agent.
Secure and Encrypted
Your personal and financial details are encrypted at every step.
Direct ATO Connection
We connect with the ATO to pull your available information in automatically.
Real Support When You Need It
Get in touch if you have a question before, during or after you lodge.
Still Have Questions?
If you can't find your answer above, our team is here to help before, during and after you lodge.