Q about ABNs at tax time

[C~Q]

My computer has just **** itself...with my database of classes on it It's the only rference I have of the amount of classes i've taught this year agghhhh!

What i'm wondering is if the tax depart can tell me (by looking at my ABN) how much i've earned? Or if I make an estimated guess and it's wrong will they know and will I get into a lot of trouble?

Anyone know any other way I can find out? A few gyms have told me they can tell me but I worked for one gym that is now closed and I can't get hold of the owner...

Any ideas anyone??

[Claire_A]

Do you do your BAS statements online? If you do, you can easily look up this info on the ato website.

[Astrid]

ATO wont be able to help other that what you have submitted to them. Are you able to go back through bank statements and work it out from deposits?

[C~Q]

Ummm, I guess I could go back through bank statements...blahhh that'll take ages lol!

ClaireA...i've never done a BAS...am I supposed to....gees I shouldn't be running my own business!!

[Astrid]

Find yourself an accountant. They will advise you of what you need to do with your business and should be able to help you with any dealings with the ATO.

[C~Q]

I had an acountant and he charged an insane amount...but from what I can gather thats normal. A ffriend of mine is an accountant but....it's hard to explain...he's my friend thats the pathological liar and for some reason I don't trus him. He also said that the ATO would have a list of all my classes through my ABN and if they didn't they would call the "ABN people"...so I really don't trust him. I know he is an accountant but I don;t think he knows much about personal tax.

Guess i'd better just bite the bullet and fork out the cash

[Claire_A]

If your accounts are pretty straight forward you can probably manage your own (I do mine and I'm definitely no accountant!) The ATO website has heaps of info on there regarding what you need to do, and I've phoned them a few times when I've been a bit confused and everyone I've spoken to has been super helpful and friendly. Probably best not to trust your friend just to be on the safe side. When in doubt just give the ato a call. Hope you can manage to work out your earnings, sounds stressful!

[C~Q]

It should be pretty straightforward, hopefully I can do it on my own. I got an accountant to do a P&L once and he charged me $360 :O

[Astrid]

I only suggested an Accountant as your return may not be straight forward due to data being missing. They would know what you could get away with with regards to reporting etc. Also they should be able to set you up with what you need to do going forward so it does not happen again.

Yes there is a lot of info on the ATO site and yes you can call them, but if you look at the hours you would spend on that compared to what you pay someone who knows all about it. If you spend those same hours working then you would probably be in front.