Southern Cross University students help low-income earners with tax returns

Southern Cross University accounting students at the Tweed Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses are offering low-income earners help to prepare their tax returns through the Australian Tax Office Tax Help program.

Coffs Harbour accounting students, under the supervision of senior lecturer Margaret Drever, have been involved in the Tax Help program for the past eight years. Last year the program was extended to Tweed Heads, under the direction of Dr Anja Morton.

Ms Drever said Tax Help was a free program designed to provide assistance for low-income earners.

"We have got 10 students taking part in the program in Coffs Harbour. It's a great opportunity for them because they get the experience of doing simple tax returns and communicating with clients," Ms Drever said.

Dr Morton said all the volunteers received training from the Australian Tax Office.

"Four of our accounting major students volunteered both last year and this year to provide this service. In 2004 the Tweed Gold Coast Campus Tax Help Centre helped more than 50 people to prepare their tax returns. This year we have already serviced over 25 clients," Dr Morton said.

The director of the national Tax Help program, Mr Steve Tonks, said the Tax Help program was offered to people with incomes of $35,000 or under. Other criteria, such as not having business income, would be explained to people when they made an appointment.

"It's great to have the Southern Cross University students involved at Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour again this year. It benefits the students who get experience and it's also important because they are helping out low-income earners," Mr Tonks said.

Appointments for the Tax Help centres can be made by phoning the Australian Tax Office on 132 861; Coffs Harbour on-campus Tax Help centre on 66593621; or Tweed Gold Coast Campus on 07 5506 9328

The Tax Help service is available until the end of October.