As tax time approaches, apprentices across Australia are being reminded to double-check their information and rely on trusted advice, with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) urging people to “pause and check the facts” before lodging their return.

With tips and hacks spreading rapidly through social media, AI tools and group chats, it’s becoming harder to separate helpful guidance from misinformation. For apprentices, who are often lodging earlier in their careers, getting it right from the start can help avoid costly mistakes and delays.

Stick to Trusted Sources

The ATO is encouraging apprentices to use official, reliable information when preparing their tax return. This includes the ATO website, the ATO app or speaking to a registered tax professional.

Another helpful tool is the ATO’s occupation guides, which are tailored to specific jobs, including apprenticeships. These guides outline:

• The income you need to declare
• The deductions you may be able to claim
• The records you need to keep

Taking a few extra minutes to check your information before lodging can save time later and reduce the need to make changes.

Keep Records — No Records, No Claim

A common mistake at tax time is claiming expenses without proper proof. The rule is simple: if you can’t support your claim with records, you can’t claim it.

You should also be cautious of advice that promises large refunds, big deductions or “secret” tax tricks. These are often incorrect and could lead to your return being adjusted or flagged.

It’s also important to make sure:

• You include all your income
• You don’t overclaim deductions
• You wait until your information is pre-filled before lodging

Car Expenses: Know The Rules

Car expenses are one area where many apprentices make mistakes.

In most cases, travel between your home and your regular workplace is considered private and cannot be claimed. This applies even if you:

• Travel long distances
• Work unusual hours
• Sometimes work from home

However, you may be able to claim trips that are directly related to your work, such as travelling:

• Between different job sites during the day
• From your workplace to meet a client

If you claim car expenses, make sure:

• You only claim the work-related portion
• You can explain how you worked it out
• You keep the right records

For example, if you use the logbook method, you need a logbook and receipts. If you use the cents per kilometre method, you don’t need receipts, but you must be able to show how you calculated your kilometres.

Donations: Not All Are Tax Deductible

Many apprentices also assume all donations can be claimed, but that’s not the case.

You can only claim donations made to organisations with deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. This means:

• Gifts to family or friends are not deductible
• Some religious organisations may not qualify
• Crowdfunding campaigns are not deductible unless run by a DGR

The easiest way to check is through the ABN Lookup tool. You should also keep receipts that include the organisation’s name, the donation amount and the date.

Before And After You Lodge

Before submitting your return, take a moment to review everything and make sure it’s accurate.

Once you’ve lodged, you can track the progress through the ATO app or by logging into your myGov account. Most online returns are processed in around 12 business days.