If you’ve made it to now and haven’t yet lodged your tax return…it is quite possible that you have misplaced your group certificate?

Don’t panic, this is not an uncommon occurrence and there are a few solutions at your disposal!

Your first port of call may be your employer.  All employers are required to keep copies of this type of documentation, however it may not be an easy thing to do if you are no longer on friendly terms!

Another alternative is to reconcile your bank statements with your pay slips and determine the full year figures of gross wages, tax withheld and net received – who has time for that?

Your best bet at obtaining this information is by contacting your registered tax agent!

All registered tax agents have access to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Portal – this Portal provides registered tax agents with a wealth of information that can be used to support the preparation of your tax return.

The report provided by the ATO Portal is prepared using information provided to the ATO by employers, banks, health insurance funds among others – and while it shouldn’t be relied upon as the sole record for preparing a tax return, it is certainly of great assistance!

PS For completeness I really feel that I should remind you all that the new name for “Group Certificate” is “PAYG Payment Summary – Individual”…even though most of us still call them group certificates!

Regards