Three Sweet Tips To Get Your Money Back At Tax Time

Tax time. Ugh. What a pain in the bum.

Nobody wants to spend hours completing their tax return or paying someone else to do it for them.

Nobody enjoys giving away their hard-earned cash to the tax office.

However, there are small tips you can take to make the experience less crippling on your sanity and wallet.

Tip #1: Understand what you can claim on tax.

If you have to study to further the career you are already in, you may be able to claim travel expenses, study resources, internet, laptops, power bills, et cetera. You may also be able to claim medical expenses and even every time you use the washing machine for a work uniform. Do your research and you might be entitled to get some money back. Which brings me to tip number two….

Tip #2: Save your receipts.

All of them. Put them in a safe place. You may need these receipts when trying to make one of those aforementioned claims. (And don’t just wait until July 1 to organise them, otherwise you’ll do your head in.)

Tip #3: Visit the ATO site.

From here you can lodge your tax return online through the 'Lodge Online with myTax' link. It will ask you to create a myGov account. Once you do this, you can quickly and easily complete your tax return. The myTax link will walk you through the process step by step. It is safe and foolproof. (It only took me ten minutes to complete my return last year and cost me nada.)

Do not be fearful of tax time. It doesn't need to be painful, confusing or a waste of your precious minutes. By following my three simple steps you can make the most out of it and maybe even get some money back. Then you are free to blow your tax return on whatever you like. Mini holiday anyone?

For more: Baffled By Tax Talk? Here's What You Need To Know About Your Tax Return

Congratulations to Meghan for winning this writing challenge, answering: How To Get Ready For Tax Time. Meghan wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!

Photo: Fox.