The Griffith Tax Clinic – Here to Help

Since opening in July 2019 the Griffith Tax Clinic has received over 80 applications for assistance by individuals and small businesses for free assistance with their tax advice. Located at Griffith’s Logan campus, applicants are guided by student tax advisers about how to navigate Australia’s tax system, including how to set up their MyGov Account and link this with the online tax return system, how to complete and lodge their tax returns, including clarifying what some of the terms in their tax return mean and what deductions they are entitled to. Also, a number of applicants had queries in terms of their small business operations, especially with online platforms such as Uber.

Eligible applicants are people who currently do not have a tax agent, and they ranged from refugees, new immigrants and people returning to work. Eligible applicants are provided this assistance free of charge by Griffith tax students under the supervision of a registered tax agent.

Also, the Griffith Tax Clinic has been active in conducting a number of one-on-one tax workshops in help people gain a greater understanding of Australia’s tax system. In these workshops student tax advisers sat with participants to work through a number of tax case studies to help participants improved their knowledge and confidence in dealing with the tax system.

In August Griffith’s student tax advisers (Jeevika Ghai and Rovin Distor) visited Marsden State High School to conduct a workshop with twenty year 11 and 12 students on “Tax and 1st Apprenticeship: What do I need to know?” . Through an interactive case study, the high school students were guided through many of the tax issues they will need to know when commencing an apprenticeship, such as whether they would be an employee or a contractor, their super entitlements and the common deductions they should be entitled to.

Recognising that for those about to commence a business there can be great uncertainty about what the tax implications Griffith’s student tax advisers Brock Lawrence and Mgcini Dube conducted a free public seminar on ‘Tax and Your Small Business: Navigating your way’. At this free seminar business operators were provided information about the distinction between a hobby and a business, what are the consequences between conducting your business as a sole trader or a company and GST requirements. Attendees appreciated being able to raise questions directly relevant to their operations, and seek clarification about the correct tax treatment for their expenses.

The Griffith Tax Clinic was established through Griffith University being successful in securing a $100,000 grant from the Federal Government to establish one of ten student run tax clinics in Australia. The Griffith Tax Clinic is staffed by 14 student advisers undertaking their internship under the supervision of experienced tax practitioners. The Griffith Tax Clinic aims to provide free tax assistance to unrepresented taxpayers so they know their rights and obligations in complying with Australia’s complex tax system.

If you need assistance with your tax, or know someone who does, please apply to the Griffith Tax Clinic for free advice. The Griffith Tax Clinic is located at Griffith University’s Logan campus (in Building L08 Room 1. 11) and operates Tuesday and Wednesday. More information is available at www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-tax-clinic, or contact us via Email: [email protected] or Phone: +61 7 338 21177