Bunnings worker’s anger over paltry $191 refund as she and other Australians call for return of popular tax cut
- Bunnings worker angry over tax return
- The popular tax cut has come to an end
A part-time Bunnings worker has taken to social media to express her dismay at her miserable tax return, as Australians express their frustration over the removal of a popular tax cut.
The young woman took to TikTok to share her tax return, calling on the government to reinstate the Low and Middle Income Tax Compensation (LMITO) that ended last tax year.
In a short clip to Destiny’s Child’s RnB song ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’, the woman, known as Tash Griffin, shows her followers that she will receive just $191.72 from the tax office this year.
A follower asked him: ‘Did you even claim anything? haha I get $6k-$10k every year.’
Ms Griffin responded to the response in a second video, saying: “If I had a dollar for every time someone commented on whether I claimed something, I would have more than what I got on my tax return.”
I know how to claim deductions, but the point is, I work part time in Bunnings. What is there to claim? I’m not a tradie that has a million tools that I can claim, sorry,’ she said.
My work uniform? Already claimed in last year’s tax. I can’t do it again. I’m sorry. So [unless] someone wants to enlighten me about other things that I can claim, I need everyone to shut up.’
Griffin said that last year he had received more than $3,000 on his tax return.
TikTok user Tash Griffin is angry about her miserable tax return, which is significantly lower than last year.
The compensation of the tax on low and medium incomes (LMITO) ended last year
Other social media users empathized with his plight and shared their own stories of disappointment.
We’re freaking out this whole year,’ one comment read.
“They took $1,500 of the $1,680 tax break they gave us a few years ago.”
Another said they were ‘crying’ about this year’s tax refund because they got $2,100 more last year.
A third user lamented that “politicians get an extra 9k on their tax returns.”
On Twitter, Australians also expressed their anger over the end of the LIMIT.
“Letting the LIMIT lapse is one of the worst strategic decisions I’ve ever seen,” one post read.
“It was the perfect opportunity to sell the reduction in the Stage 3 cuts, but instead everyone will see you go from having big profits to owing taxes all of a sudden knowing that the rich get a reduction in a year.”
The temporary LIMIT was introduced in the 2018-19 budget by then-Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, extended during the pandemic, and then increased by the Morrison administration during its March 2022 pre-election budget by one year.
That increase meant that, for the 2021-22 tax year, Australians making $126,000 a year or less received a tax break of up to $1,500, depending on how much they earned.
The biggest benefit was reserved for those earning between $48,000 and $90,000.
Legislation introducing the LMITO, also known as ‘lamington’, ended last fiscal year with Treasurer Jim Chalmers opting not to extend the measure any further.
