Gen Z’s surprising tax trick has older Aussies in shock! Could it save you time and money too?
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If you thought doing your tax return was a job best left to a desktop computer, a stack of paperwork, and perhaps a strong cup of tea, you’re not alone.
For many of us, tax time conjures up memories of rifling through receipts, squinting at spreadsheets, and maybe even a frantic call to the accountant.
But for the younger generation, it seems the humble smartphone is all you need—and this revelation has left many older Aussies absolutely gobsmacked.
Meet Paije, a 28-year-old Melburnian who recently sent shockwaves through the internet by revealing her tax-time secret: she does her entire tax return on her phone.
Yes, you read that right—no laptop, no desktop, just a few taps and swipes on her mobile.
'I just saw a video on my [social media] where they were talking about that thing where some purchases you can do on your phone, but big purchases have to be on your laptop,' Paije explained. 'I would like everyone to know that I did my taxes on my phone. I do everything on there.'
For many in Gen Z, who grew up with technology at their fingertips, this is just business as usual.
But for those who still remember dial-up internet and the days when a phone was just for making calls, the idea of doing something as important as a tax return on a tiny screen feels almost unthinkable.
This isn’t just about tax returns—it’s part of a bigger debate that’s been brewing for years. For many older generations, 'serious' tasks like booking flights, buying furniture, or lodging your tax return are reserved for the trusty laptop or desktop.
The idea of doing it all on a phone? It’s enough to make some people break out in a cold sweat.
When Paije shared her confession online, the reactions were priceless. 'The way I gasped. Not on your phone,' one person exclaimed. Another joked, 'This feels illegal.' Others declared that flights, tax, and online furniture shopping are strictly 'laptop jobs.'
But not everyone was shocked. Some younger Aussies chimed in to say they haven’t touched a laptop since high school, and that the ATO’s myDeductions app makes the whole process a breeze. 'I use my phone for everything,' one person said, echoing Paije’s sentiment.
If you’re wondering how on earth someone can do their tax return on a phone, you’re not alone. But the truth is, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has made huge strides in recent years to make tax time easier for everyone.
The myDeductions application allows you to track expenses, snap photos of receipts, and even lodge your return—all from your mobile.
Paije says the app is so user-friendly that she doesn’t see the need for a computer at all. 'A phone is just a mini computer now,' she said. And she’s not wrong, today’s smartphones are more powerful than the computers many of us used in the early 2000s.
Source: @princesspeeny / Tiktok.
Of course, with convenience comes concern. Many older Aussies worry about security, privacy, and the risk of making a mistake on a small screen.
The good news is, the ATO’s app is designed with security in mind, and as long as you’re using official government apps and secure Wi-Fi, your information should be safe.
Still, it’s important to be cautious. Always double-check your entries, use strong passwords, and avoid public Wi-Fi when dealing with sensitive information.
It’s not just the method that’s changed—tax returns themselves have evolved. Paije revealed that after submitting her return this year, she’s getting a $921 refund, which she says is the 'worst' she’s ever received. In previous years, her refund was between $1,500 and $2,000.
She understands that a smaller refund means she’s paid the correct amount of tax throughout the year, but, as she puts it, 'it still hurts.'
Paije also touched on another issue that’s become a hot topic for younger Aussies: student debt. With a HECS-HELP debt of nearly $92,000, she’s not alone in feeling like the goalposts keep moving.
Recent changes mean that indexation (the annual increase to keep up with inflation) is now based on the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index, but many still feel like they’re treading water.
One frustration is that while repayments are taken out of your pay throughout the year, they don’t actually reduce your debt until after you lodge your tax return—by which time indexation has already been applied. 'The indexation from the last few years means that you’re not really paying anything off because it just gets added again,' Paije said.
Her solution? 'I am kind of just choosing peace and pretending it doesn’t exist. It would be too much mental effort that I don’t have to care about it.'
Read next: Aussies lose out on extra $1,000 with biggest ATO tax return mistakes
We’d love to hear from you, members! Have you ever tried doing your tax return on your phone? Do you stick to your computer, or do you still prefer pen and paper? And what do you think about the changes to HECS-HELP debts and tax refunds? Share your thoughts, tips, and stories in the comments below!
For many of us, tax time conjures up memories of rifling through receipts, squinting at spreadsheets, and maybe even a frantic call to the accountant.
But for the younger generation, it seems the humble smartphone is all you need—and this revelation has left many older Aussies absolutely gobsmacked.
Meet Paije, a 28-year-old Melburnian who recently sent shockwaves through the internet by revealing her tax-time secret: she does her entire tax return on her phone.
Yes, you read that right—no laptop, no desktop, just a few taps and swipes on her mobile.
'I just saw a video on my [social media] where they were talking about that thing where some purchases you can do on your phone, but big purchases have to be on your laptop,' Paije explained. 'I would like everyone to know that I did my taxes on my phone. I do everything on there.'
For many in Gen Z, who grew up with technology at their fingertips, this is just business as usual.
A Gen Z woman from Melbourne shocked older Australians by revealing she completes her entire tax return using only her mobile phone, highlighting generational differences in technology use. Image source: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels. Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described.[/CAPTION]
But for those who still remember dial-up internet and the days when a phone was just for making calls, the idea of doing something as important as a tax return on a tiny screen feels almost unthinkable.
This isn’t just about tax returns—it’s part of a bigger debate that’s been brewing for years. For many older generations, 'serious' tasks like booking flights, buying furniture, or lodging your tax return are reserved for the trusty laptop or desktop.
The idea of doing it all on a phone? It’s enough to make some people break out in a cold sweat.
When Paije shared her confession online, the reactions were priceless. 'The way I gasped. Not on your phone,' one person exclaimed. Another joked, 'This feels illegal.' Others declared that flights, tax, and online furniture shopping are strictly 'laptop jobs.'
But not everyone was shocked. Some younger Aussies chimed in to say they haven’t touched a laptop since high school, and that the ATO’s myDeductions app makes the whole process a breeze. 'I use my phone for everything,' one person said, echoing Paije’s sentiment.
If you’re wondering how on earth someone can do their tax return on a phone, you’re not alone. But the truth is, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has made huge strides in recent years to make tax time easier for everyone.
The myDeductions application allows you to track expenses, snap photos of receipts, and even lodge your return—all from your mobile.
Paije says the app is so user-friendly that she doesn’t see the need for a computer at all. 'A phone is just a mini computer now,' she said. And she’s not wrong, today’s smartphones are more powerful than the computers many of us used in the early 2000s.
Source: @princesspeeny / Tiktok.
Of course, with convenience comes concern. Many older Aussies worry about security, privacy, and the risk of making a mistake on a small screen.
The good news is, the ATO’s app is designed with security in mind, and as long as you’re using official government apps and secure Wi-Fi, your information should be safe.
Still, it’s important to be cautious. Always double-check your entries, use strong passwords, and avoid public Wi-Fi when dealing with sensitive information.
It’s not just the method that’s changed—tax returns themselves have evolved. Paije revealed that after submitting her return this year, she’s getting a $921 refund, which she says is the 'worst' she’s ever received. In previous years, her refund was between $1,500 and $2,000.
She understands that a smaller refund means she’s paid the correct amount of tax throughout the year, but, as she puts it, 'it still hurts.'
Paije also touched on another issue that’s become a hot topic for younger Aussies: student debt. With a HECS-HELP debt of nearly $92,000, she’s not alone in feeling like the goalposts keep moving.
Recent changes mean that indexation (the annual increase to keep up with inflation) is now based on the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index, but many still feel like they’re treading water.
One frustration is that while repayments are taken out of your pay throughout the year, they don’t actually reduce your debt until after you lodge your tax return—by which time indexation has already been applied. 'The indexation from the last few years means that you’re not really paying anything off because it just gets added again,' Paije said.
Her solution? 'I am kind of just choosing peace and pretending it doesn’t exist. It would be too much mental effort that I don’t have to care about it.'
Read next: Aussies lose out on extra $1,000 with biggest ATO tax return mistakes
We’d love to hear from you, members! Have you ever tried doing your tax return on your phone? Do you stick to your computer, or do you still prefer pen and paper? And what do you think about the changes to HECS-HELP debts and tax refunds? Share your thoughts, tips, and stories in the comments below!
