THE number of people using the Australian Tax Office’s free online lodgement service has grown to 350,000, an increase of more than 60 per cent from the same time last year.
Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody said e-tax had proved more popular than ever among people lodging their own tax returns.
“For the first time more self-preparers are lodging electronically rather than by paper,” he said.
“With more than two months until the October 31 lodgement deadline, we expect to easily reach our target of 800,000 e-tax lodgements this year.”
Last year more than 500,000 people lodged their tax returns using e-tax, an increase of 100 per cent on the previous year.
Most people lodging by e-tax receive their tax refund or notice of debt within 14 days, although no debt is due before November 21.
e-tax can be accessed free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be downloaded from the tax office website.
