Questions, answered plainly

Jan is a registered tax agent (Tax Practitioners Board registration 24812228) based in Avalon Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. He was previously a Tax Manager at a Northern Beaches CPA practice and now runs his own boutique practice, working directly with every client.

No. Most of Jan's work is done online, so he works with clients anywhere in Australia by phone or video call, with documents sent by email. He can meet in person on the Northern Beaches by arrangement.

Jan will reply within one business day to arrange a free 15-minute intro call. If you'd like to go ahead, you'll receive a fixed written quote and a checklist of what to send — all before any work begins.

Nothing formal. It helps to know roughly what income you had, any investments or business activity, and whether you have past notices of assessment handy. After the call Jan will send a tailored checklist so you only gather what's actually needed.

It isn't essential for working with Jan, but it's worth having. With the ATO linked to your myGov account, ATO letters can be delivered to your myGov inbox and you can view your tax records online. To link it, sign in to myGov, go to ‘View and link services’, select Link next to Australian Taxation Office and answer a few questions to confirm your identity. Jan is happy to talk you through it.

It depends on what's involved. Individual returns start from $220 and investor returns, including one rental property, from $340 — our pricing page lists indicative starting prices for common situations. Every client receives a fixed written quote after the intro call, before any work begins, so you'll know the cost upfront.

Yes. The 15-minute intro call is free and there's no obligation to go ahead afterwards. It's simply a chance to explain your situation and hear how Jan would help.

Your written quote sets out the work Jan will do for the agreed fee — typically preparing your return or statements, taking you through them, lodging with the ATO and reviewing your notice of assessment when it arrives. If something outside that scope comes up, such as an extra rental property or another year to lodge, Jan will explain what's involved and agree any additional fee with you before doing the work. No surprise invoices.

Generally, yes. The cost of managing your tax affairs — including fees paid to a registered tax agent to prepare and lodge your return or to give you tax advice — can usually be claimed as a deduction in the income year you pay it. That means the fee for last year's return typically appears as a deduction on this year's return. Jan will confirm how this applies to you.

If you lodge your own return, it's generally due by 31 October after the income year ends on 30 June — for example, 31 October 2026 for the 2025–26 year. If you're on a registered tax agent's client list before 31 October, you can usually lodge later under the ATO's lodgment program. Jan will confirm your due date when you engage him.

Yes, and without judgement. Jan will work out which years are outstanding, gather the information needed, bring your lodgments up to date and deal with the ATO on your behalf.

Usually, yes. You can ask the ATO to amend a lodged return to correct a mistake or include something you missed. Time limits apply, generally counted from the date of your notice of assessment, so it's best to act promptly. Jan can confirm the deadline for your return, prepare and lodge the amendment, and explain how it affects your refund or tax payable.

Generally five years. For individuals, that's usually five years from the date you lodge your return. Business records are generally kept for five years from when they were prepared or obtained, or the transactions were completed, whichever is later. Some records need to be kept for longer — for example, records about assets such as property or shares, which you'll need when you eventually sell them, and some company records. Jan can tell you what to keep for your situation.

You must register for GST when your business's GST turnover is $75,000 or more ($150,000 or more for non-profit organisations), and you have 21 days to register once you become aware you'll reach that threshold. If you provide taxi or ride-sourcing services, you must register regardless of your turnover. Jan can help you work out whether and when you need to register.

Yes. Jan prepares, reviews and lodges business and instalment activity statements, monthly or quarterly, and makes sure GST, PAYG withholding and PAYG instalments are reported correctly. Lodging through a registered agent can also mean more time, as agents can usually lodge after the standard due date.

There's no single right answer — it depends on your income, plans, risk and family circumstances, and the answer can change as your business grows. In a planning session Jan explains the tax implications of each option so you can make an informed decision, and he'll tell you if you also need legal advice.

Jan focuses on tax, BAS and advice. If your books need tidying before a BAS or tax return can be prepared, he'll explain what's needed and can work alongside your bookkeeper.

Don't ignore it. Check it's genuine (for example via your myGov inbox), note any deadline, and get in touch. Jan can review the letter, explain what it means and respond to the ATO on your behalf.

Get in touch as early as you can. Jan can take over communication with the ATO, help you gather what's been requested, prepare the response and explain your options at each stage, so you're not dealing with it alone.

Yes. If you can't pay a tax debt in full, Jan can help you work out an affordable arrangement and set up a payment plan with the ATO where you're eligible.

Yes. Jan personally handles your work from the first conversation to lodgment. There are no hand-offs to junior staff.

Only registered tax agents can charge a fee to prepare and lodge your tax return, give you tax advice or deal with the ATO on your behalf. You can check any practitioner on the Tax Practitioners Board's public register — Jan's registration number is 24812228.

Your information is treated confidentially in line with the Privacy Act and the Tax Practitioners Board's Code of Professional Conduct. Documents are usually sent by email, and for especially sensitive files Jan can suggest a more secure way to share them.