What cheeses me off

[serfty]

Its still the same ATO portal

There has been a transition over the last few years from the "Business" Portal to the "Online Services" portal.

The front end interfaces are distinctly different.

The URL for the old interface was bp.ato.gov.au.

 

[serfty]

Not unusual. Mine went through simply and easily but I had to call them up to get ID for MrsTMA. Surprisingly quick and easy.

SWMBO called in October and was told a manual/postal application was required. She was emailed a link to download an application form.

For the submission, a certified copy of an Australian full birth certificate is required which she did not have. She had an extract but those and commemorative certificates were specifically not acceptable. ~$60 with P&H and six weeks later that had arrived. The postal application was submitted in Mid December. She has now been waiting for the "up to 56 business days"; nothing has come back as yet.

 

[JohnK]

My accountant explained that I should feel *happy* that I'm contributing to the economy blah blah ... but I'm like seriously dude, WT!!!!

I've been paying more than my fair share of tax for a long time. Our tax system is far from fair and I get zero satisfaction knowing the taxes I pay contribute to the laziness and the waste displayed by those that benefit from it.

Can't wait for the day where I'm not paying any tax.

 

[TheRealTMA]

SWMBO called in October and was told a manual/postal application was required. She was emailed a link to download an application form.

For the submission, a certified copy of an Australian full birth certificate is required which she did not have. She had an extract but those and commemorative certificates were specifically not acceptable. ~$60 with P&H and six weeks later that had arrived. The postal application was submitted in Mid December. She has now been waiting for the "up to 56 business days"; nothing has come back as yet.

Hmm. Not my experience but it is the ATO after all! Maybe make another call?

 

[Forg]

I've been paying more than my fair share of tax for a long time. Our tax system is far from fair and I get zero satisfaction knowing the taxes I pay contribute to the laziness and the waste displayed by those that benefit from it.

I take some comfort from knowing that the more tax one pays in Australia, the better the life one has.
Up until the Stupid Rich level which needs to be taxed more than it is; but while those people are leeches, there aren‘t that many of them in the overall scheme of things.

It might not be a cause-and-effect relationship, but it’s still the way things work out.

 

[mrsterryn]

A tad tongue in cheek
That a first class Qantas is $300 more than a business class . Sydney to London
Actually quite surprised at how price. It was a small amount cheaper today than we paid back in 2016 for an excellent on sale first class Sydney to London. The problem is now with those status credits is so I try to get back the platinum that I will have lost by then

 

[Rich]

Qantas emails with subject "The departure date for your flights has changed" when it is just an insignificant time change.
My heart can only take so much.

 

[Pushka]

Qantas emails with subject "The departure date for your flights has changed" when it is just an insignificant time change.
My heart can only take so much.

Oh yeah. Like a five minute change on departure time, knowing the way airlines operate, is anything at all. Trouble is your heart sinks, so you go scurrying into the booking in a slight panic, and then not be able to determine what has changed as everything looks pretty much the same!

 

[JohnK]

I take some comfort from knowing that the more tax one pays in Australia, the better the life one has.

Not necessarily. The accumulated debt may not be offset by the higher salary.

Had funny conversations with ATO staff in the past. Why haven't you paid your provisional tax (PAYG instalment)? I don't have enough to pay my debt and the ATO is at the bottom of the list. Then tries to lecture me on why I got into debt. Thanks for the advice but that's not your business.

Glad covid came along as they've left me alone for quite some time.

 

[mel-world]

Qantas emails with subject "The departure date for your flights has changed" when it is just an insignificant time change.
My heart can only take so much.

SQ are, arguably, more stressful - "We regret to inform you that there have been changes to your flight" - especially when it concerns a pair of F Saver award tickets. And the time change was only 15 mins earlier on the departure time, but no change to the arrival time.

 

[MARTINE]

Not necessarily. The accumulated debt may not be offset by the higher salary.

Had funny conversations with ATO staff in the past. Why haven't you paid your provisional tax (PAYG instalment)? I don't have enough to pay my debt and the ATO is at the bottom of the list. Then tries to lecture me on why I got into debt. Thanks for the advice but that's not your business.

Glad covid came along as they've left me alone for quite some time.

Although you may find they can easily hit you with penalty charge (usually 25%) and interest charged and if you are due a refund will take it from that.
ATO - you run but you cant hide!

 

[VPS]

I’m the Lisbon airport lounge. Just had to move because the young man next to me is just sniffing really loudly and it sounds disgusting

 

[MARTINE]

Oh yeah. Like a five minute change on departure time, knowing the way airlines operate, is anything at all. Trouble is your heart sinks, so you go scurrying into the booking in a slight panic, and then not be able to determine what has changed as everything looks pretty much the same!

Sooooo true
Have had three of these already for upcoming
May 23 SQ J MEL-MAN-MEL

Flight number changes/leave MAN 15 min earlier

I keep checking just to see if a change heralds possibility of F seats but no……

 

[Pushka]

Oh yeah. Like a five minute change on departure time, knowing the way airlines operate, is anything at all. Trouble is your heart sinks, so you go scurrying into the booking in a slight panic, and then not be able to determine what has changed as everything looks pretty much the same!

Groan. On cue. Qantas email today. Not a five minute change but they changed to 24 hours - the day before! Leaves us just three nights in London to see son and DIL. Just as well we are returning at Christmas. And we Can't change the dates of the expensive Airbnb booked for the three bedrooms now we are leaving a day earlier. And because I'd factored in a day in KL in case this flight was delayed have had to stump up extra $300 to spend now two nights at KLIA Sama Sama.

 

[VPS]

I’m the Lisbon airport lounge. Just had to move because the young man next to me is just sniffing really loudly and it sounds disgusting

I moved and literally one minute later they left

 

[Forg]

Not necessarily. The accumulated debt may not be offset by the higher salary.

I don't understand what you mean ... if you're accumulating debt that just means you're not paying taxes that have resulted from being given money. If your accumulation of debt increases, that just means you're being given MORE money, and worst-case you're being given double the extra amount you could be accumulating ... ?

 

[747sp]

I would like to tell you what cheese my wife off at the airport... it is me...it is little things like:
Why do I need to check the regos?

Why do I want to I want to take photos of every plane we pass?

Why do I want to go to a gate that is at the other end of the airport to see that plane...

To solve these issues she normally finds a window overlooking the runway and will sit and read and remind me when it is time to go the gate.

I don't think Mrs 747 is that cheesed off with me as we have been travelling together for 35 years with many more ahead

 

[Ade]

Would suggest there are many other ways re "expenses"

I would really interested to know more about this ...

 

[Quickstatus]

interested

Any accountant worth their annual fees will be able to direct you in the right direction commensurate with your trade group.

what is your business structure - not in AFF but discuss with your accountant
vehicle
continuing professional development in some far flung place

 

[Ade]

I think what you are saying is the "no win situation" really cheeses you off...

Yea ... sort of ... for me it's "never win" situation more like ...

If I have to recap the past few days (reason why I wasn't active on AFF) -

Friday - I got the tax shocker Friday night and was completely down Saturday because of that,

Saturday - not sure how but I caught a fever Saturday evening on my way back from work, worst fever I ever had so far (as far as I can remember) shivering, can't walk, feel like throwing up but can't fever!

Sunday - literally struggled my way to find a GP appointment on short notice because I felt like I caught something very serious - got some antibiotics prescribed

Monday - still had the temperature & other associated illness etc, so took time off wok .. just couldn't get off the bed

Tuesday - showed up to work, got an email from Uber that a driver from one of my recent trips has reported me for "a very indecent act" !?!?!?!?! I'm like what!?!????!? email Uber back and forth - proved successfully that it was not me and the driver is simply retaliating because I raised a complaint against him because he did not show up to my pick up spot, kept driving all the way to the Parliament House for no reason when I lived on the other side of town. Uber then kicked me out of their app pending investigation, later granted access to go back after I was cleared off the charges

Wednesday - still a bit under the weather, but really had to get into work - there is so much to do and so little time before the deadline - got another email from Uber that a driver raised a complained that I committed "another public indecent act" and they'd like to investigate. Again back and forth with Uber providing screenshots, emails etc from Tuesday suggesting that it could be the same driver who is retaliating etc ...

So all in all ... Not a good few days so far ... and I have a feeling that it isn't over ...

Oh, btw, ANZ folks keep asking me for NoA from ATO and I have not got one yet, so my CC approvals are pending ...