Make Sure You’re Getting The Right Advice This Tax Time

The rise of DIY advice and its risks

These days, it’s easy to jump into forums, social media groups or online tools when you have a tax question. And sometimes, that can be useful especially if you’re just trying to get your head around the basics.

But too often, the advice you find online is:

• Too general
• Outdated
• Based on someone else’s circumstances

And that’s where things can go wrong.

You might end up missing out on deductions you’re actually entitled to. Or worse, claiming something you shouldn’t and attracting unwanted attention from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

The truth is, your tax situation is unique. What’s right for someone else, even someone in a similar job, might not be right for you.

Why getting the right advice matters

Let’s say you’re a sole trader running a side hustle on the weekends. Or you’ve just bought your first investment property. Maybe you’re working from home part-time, or you’ve switched to a casual contract this year.

Each of these scenarios has different tax rules. A good tax agent will take the time to ask the right questions and make sure your return reflects your real circumstances.

Here’s why it pays to speak to a qualified accountant:

1. Your circumstances are unique

The deductions available to a tradie working interstate are very different from someone working from home in Sydney. If you own a rental property, run a side hustle, or receive Centrelink payments, all of this impacts your tax return.

A registered tax agent will ask the right questions and ensure you’re claiming what you’re actually entitled to and there’s nothing that could raise red flags with the ATO.

2. Tax laws change every year

What you claimed last year may not be claimable this year. For instance:

• The shortcut method for working-from-home expenses was retired in June 2022.
• The ATO expanded its property management data matching to catch rental income reporting errors.
• Superannuation thresholds and small business rules continue to shift.

Staying on top of this yourself is a full-time job which is exactly why we do it for you.

3. AI can’t understand your life

While tools like ChatGPT are great at breaking down complex topics, they don’t know your full financial situation. Even the smartest AI can’t tailor advice to your income, goals, deductions, or business structure.

At least not with the care and depth of a real tax expert.

What can go wrong without professional help?

Here are a few common mistakes we see when people go it alone:

• Claiming deductions that don’t apply
• Forgetting to report all sources of income (especially from Airbnb, crypto, or side gigs)
• Splitting rental property income incorrectly between co-owners
• Using the wrong method for work-from-home expenses
• Missing out on offsets or rebates altogether

The ATO is also stepping up its data-matching programs. That means they can now cross-check your information against banks, rental bond authorities, and even Airbnb or Uber records. So it’s more important than ever to get things right the first time.

How we help at Clarity Taxation

At Clarity Taxation, we listen, we ask questions, and we explain things in plain English. We tailor our advice to suit your goals, lifestyle and obligations. No jargon, no judgment.

Here’s how we can support you:

• Claiming everything you’re legally entitled to (without overstepping the mark)
• Sorting out rental property and investment income
• Planning for capital gains
• Setting up your records properly for next year
• Making sure your business tax is in good shape