myGov makes lodging quick, but it works from pre-filled data — not from your postings, duties or the Defence-related expenses that come with them. Garry Angus explains what a specialist review looks for before you press Lodge.
Recently we reviewed the tax position of a Naval officer who had been lodging his own returns through myGov for around 12 years, and identified approximately $15,000 in potential missed refunds. That is one client's result rather than a promise — but it shows what pre-filled data on its own can leave behind.
myGov pre-fills your income statement and the data the ATO already holds. It has no record of where you were posted, what your duties involved, or the costs that came with them.
Uniforms and their upkeep, physical training gear, course and study costs, equipment, travel between bases — what is claimable depends on your role and circumstances, and pre-filled data cannot work that out for you.
If earlier returns missed claims you were entitled to, an amendment may still be possible. Time limits apply, so the sooner your position is reviewed, the more years are likely to still be open.
Often, yes. myGov pre-fills your income statement, bank interest and other data the ATO already holds. It does not hold the details of your service — where you were posted, what your duties involved, or the Defence-related expenses that came with them. Those claims have to be identified and substantiated, which is what a specialist review is for.
We review the details tied to your service: postings, duties, deployments, allowances, uniforms and equipment, travel, study and course costs, and Medicare levy circumstances. We identify what you are eligible to claim, check that you have the records to support it, and explain your result before the return is lodged.
Not necessarily. If an earlier return missed deductions you were entitled to claim, an amendment may still be possible. Amendment time limits apply, so the sooner your returns are reviewed, the more years are likely to still be open to you.
Yes. Members of all three services can have deductions tied to their role that pre-filled data does not capture. The same applies to reservists and veterans with Defence-related expenses in prior years.
The full transcript of this video, for accessibility and easy reference.
Could you be leaving thousands of dollars in legitimate tax deductions unclaimed? Hi, I'm Garry Angus from Defence Tax.
Recently, we reviewed the tax position of a Naval officer who had been lodging his own returns through myGov for around 12 years. We identified approximately $15,000 in potential missed refunds.
The important point is this: myGov makes lodging your return easy, but it doesn't know every detail of your service — postings, duties or Defence-related expenses. It may not identify deductions you're entitled to claim.
And every year you wait to review your returns could mean more time and potential refunds slipping away, subject to applicable time limits.
If you're serving in the Army, Navy or Air Force, don't simply press Lodge without checking whether your return is complete. Have a Defence Tax specialist review your position before you submit — or as soon as possible if you've already lodged.
Book now to get started and find out whether you may have missed legitimate Defence-related deductions. I'm Garry Angus from Defence Tax. If you're organised, we're organised.