CDU Free Tax Clinic services more remote Territorians and migrants

A tax clinic run by accounting students from Charles Darwin University (CDU) is offering free tax services to lower-income earners, not-for-profit organisations, and migrants across the Northern Territory this tax time.

The CDU Tax Clinic operates in partnership with local Territory accounting agency SAMAF Accountants and Consultants and receives support from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) which has approved the program for another three years until 2024.

This year, the tax clinic has expanded its services online to more remote areas in the Territory, including the Barkly Region, Tennant Creek, Daily Rivers and other communities that cannot be accessed physically.

CDU Accounting Lecturer from the Asia Pacific College of Business and Law, Raul David, is leading the program and supporting his students in gaining experiences through the clinic.

“We understand that for most Territorians, tax time is a daunting time,” Mr David said.

“Many people, including micro and small businesses and especially those in vulnerable situations, could not afford to hire tax accountants to manage their affairs.”

“Our objective is to help our NT community and provide practical real work experience to our CDU accounting students which allows them to be job-ready at the completion of their qualifications.”

The team is setting up a clinic with some local not-for-profit organisations, including STEPS NT and Melaleuca Australia for humanitarian entrants, and the Australian Red Cross for clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The services are provided in various languages, such as English, Urdu, Estonian, Russian, Kutchi, Gujarati, Swahili, Lingala, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Arabic.

Eligible individuals include Territorians who have a taxable income of $60,000 and below as well as small businesses, not-for-profits and small charities.

The CDU Tax Clinic is operating from the CDU Waterfront campus from 9am to 5pm every Tuesday and Wednesday from July 12 until October 29 and the CDU Casuarina Campus Open Day on August 28.

The clinic will also be run in Katherine from Katherine Oasis Shopping Centre from August 16-17 and in Alice Springs at Yeperenye Shopping Centre from August 23-24 and October 11-12.

Bookings for online meetings can be arranged for remote Territorians.

Applications can be made online at www.cdu.edu.au/free-tax-clinic and a meeting with the Tax Clinic staff will be organised to discuss tax matters in detail.