This is a short guide to assist you with accurately and correctly completing the Tax File Declaration. You should receive both the Tax File Declaration and this guide upon your first interview with FuturePeople Recruitment.

• When you look at the Tax File Declaration, the first question is about your Tax File Number. If you know your number, then enter the 9 numbers here. Make sure you are correct as the Australian Taxation Office will notify us if your Tax File Number is wrong and we will be forced to tax you at the highest rate allowed (currently this is 46.5%).
• If you are not 100% sure of your Tax File Number, or do not presently have one, do not worry, simply tick that you have made a Separate Application/Enquiry to the Tax Office for a New or Existing Tax File Number. This gives you a 28 day window with which to supply us with your Tax File Number. During these 28 days you will be taxed at the normal rate (this differs pending on your wage). At the completion of 28 days, if we have not received a new Tax File Declaration from yourself we will change your rate to the highest rate allowed (currently 46.5%).
• With Question 2, please write you full legal name. The Australian Taxation Office do not acknowledge nicknames or preferred names.
• Question 3 refers to your previous contact with the Australian Taxation Office. If you have altered your name since you last completed a Tax File Declaration the state your previous name here.
• Question 4 is your Date of Birth, this is fairly straight forward.
• Question 5 is regarding your home address. This must a viable Australian address, complete with State and Postcode.
• For Question 6 always tick that you are paid under Casual Employment (last on the right). As a temporary employee you are considered casual to the Australian Taxation Office. This will not affect your tax.
• Question 7 is about being an Australian for taxation purposes. This does not mean you are an Australian citizen; it refers to being able to apply and receive a Tax File Number. All people considered full Australian citizens (whether born in Australia or nationalized) are to tick “Yes” here. If you are not sure whether or not you qualify, speak with the Australian Taxation Office.
• Now we come to Question 8. Question 8 is the Tax Free Threshold; this is where the majority of taxation errors occur. If you ticked that you were not an Australian Resident for Taxation Purposes in Question 7, then you must tick “No” here also. If you ticked “Yes” to being a resident and this is your only current employment, then tick “Yes” here. If you are 2 or more jobs including this one, then tick “No”. You are only allowed to claim the Tax Free Threshold at 1 place of employment at any 1 time.
• Questions 9 & 10 are specialized questions, only tick “Yes” to these if advised so by your accountant. If you do tick “Yes” you will be supplied with a Withholding Declaration, you must complete this prior to any alterations being made to your tax. We are not able to assist you with completing a Withholding Declaration.
• Question 11(a) is for employees who have completed or are currently attending University and opted to pay for their studies via the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), this was previously titled HECS. If you did apply for HELP/HECS, tick “Yes” here. A brief table is listed below showing how much extra tax is payable as a percentage under HELP/HECS.
• Question 11(b) is for employees who during University or TAFE opted to take the Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS). This was a loan scheme organized by Centrelink and the Commonwealth Bank. If you did partake in this loan agreement tick “Yes” here. A brief table is listed below showing how much extra tax is payable under SFSS.
• Now the Tax File Declaration is complete! Simply sign the form and date it with today’s date.

Notes

• Do not write anything in Section B; that is for the Payroll Department of FuturePeople Recruitment to complete.
• If you are ever unsure about something do not guess; there can be fines involved for incorrect information.
• If any changes occur to your Tax Details (i.e. change of Threshold, HELP completed) you must complete a new Tax File Declaration.