Relief in taxing times

CASEY residents struggling with their taxes will soon have a place they can go to for help – free of charge.
Accountant Tina Jom will again be volunteering her time next month in Casey’s own Tax Help program, helping those who find it difficult to complete their tax returns.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne, who has organised a Tax Help service from his office for the past three years, said Tina’s assistance gave people a chance to alleviate their tax stress.
“The tax office chooses appropriately qualified accountants to provide assistance with people lodging their tax return,” he said.
“And given that we have a lot of people here that are going through marriage break-ups or financial difficulties and tax returns aren’t easy things, having that service, where people can come in and work with someone who’s really good, like Tina, takes a big weight off their shoulders.
“The feedback we’ve been getting has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We didn’t know how it would go the first year and it went very well, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger.”
Tax Help is a program run in partnership with the Australian Taxation Office and is aimed at people earning roughly $50,000 or less a year.
There will be three Tax Help centres available in Casey from Tuesday 5 August until the end of October, stationed at Mr Byrne’s electorate office, Casey North Community and Information Support Service and the Cranbourne Information and Support Service.
“I think people are very time poor, there are a lot of shift workers and manufacturers and working mums in the area and so having a service that they can come to and know they’re getting good quality service is important,” he said.
“So it means if there are any inquiries, Tina can just contact the tax office directly on their behalf and get clarification.
“It’s a good fast track to get a good tax return in and if anyone’s worried about some of these taxation aspects, then someone like Tina is the perfect person to speak to.”
For more information contact 9796 7533.