Frequently Asked Questions

Tax Chat is an advanced AI-powered software platform that uses smart voice technology and expert tax knowledge to turn the process of completing your tax return into a simple, natural conversation.

Tax Chat combines two powerful technologies to give you the best experience: **A Conversational AI:** This is the technology that allows you to talk or type in your own language. It understands your questions and makes the interaction simple and natural. (Note that all text shown is still in English.) **A Built-in Expert System:** This is the 'brain' of our platform. It's a robust system that knows every ATO rule and allowable deduction. It guides the AI to ask the right questions and ensures your return is 100% accurate and compliant. The entire service runs on a highly scalable and secure architecture, built with the same kind of technology used by major platforms like WhatsApp to reliably handle billions of messages.

Absolutely. Our platform is built on two core principles: simplicity and trust. The smart AI voice technology makes the experience simple and easy, but it is strictly guided by our proprietary 'expert system' which knows every ATO rule. This unique combination ensures your return is not only easy but also 100% accurate and compliant. The entire platform is built on a highly secure and reliable architecture to keep your data safe.

Tax Chat is designed for all Australian taxpayers, whether you're a salaried employee, a sole trader, a freelancer, or a combination. Tax Chat adapts to your specific situation.

No problem. Tax Chat fully supports investment properties. If you rent out a property, we'll guide you through declaring rental income and claiming eligible deductions such as interest, repairs, depreciation, and property management fees. If you sold a rental property during the year, Tax Chat will capture the details of the sale and help your tax agent correctly assess any capital gains tax (CGT), including applicable discounts or exemptions. Your information is securely reviewed by a registered tax agent before lodgment to ensure accuracy and compliance.

The Tracker is our app you use throughout the year to scan receipts and track expenses. Tax Chat is the platform where you do your actual tax return, and it can automatically import all the data from your Tax Tracker.

Yes. Tax Chat is designed to understand the most common languages. Whether you speak English, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, or another language, you can communicate with Tax Chat in your own language. However, all text in the app is shown in English.

Using Tax Chat to prepare your return and see your refund estimate is completely free. You only pay a fee when you are satisfied and decide to actually lodge the return with the ATO.

Absolutely. Your privacy is our highest priority. All your data is secured with bank-level encryption. Your information is used exclusively to prepare your tax return and is never sold or shared with third parties.

Only you have full access. If you decide to lodge your return, a qualified tax agent will perform a final review. Your data is not seen by anyone else.

Yes. Peace of mind is essential. After Tax Chat prepares your return, it is always reviewed by a qualified tax agent before it is lodged with the ATO.

Tax Chat is built to handle a range of situations, including multiple income sources, income from rental properties, etc. If Tax Chat encounters a situation that requires more details, it will advise you and provide the option to be in direct contact with a partner tax agent.

For most users who have their information ready, the entire process — from starting the conversation to receiving your final estimate — takes just 10 to 20 minutes. And if you need to look up some information or simply run out of time, you can pause at any point and continue right where you left off, whenever it's convenient for you.

Getting started is simple. You'll just need three things: • A valid ID (like a Driver's Licence or Passport). This is a one-time, mandatory security check to protect your sensitive ATO data from unauthorised access. • Your Tax File Number (TFN). • Basic information about your income and expenses. If you've been using our Tax Tracker app, most of your expense information will be ready to go!

Tax Chat is developed by an experienced team of software architects, led by Eric van der Staay and Richard Kloosterman, specialising in AI-driven platforms for regulated and data-sensitive industries. The platform is designed to be used by registered Australian tax agents, who remain responsible for reviewing, approving, and lodging each tax return in accordance with Australian Tax law. Tax Chat itself is a technology platform and does not provide tax advice.

No. Tax Chat is not a registered tax agent and does not provide tax advice. Tax Chat is a technology platform that assists with the collection and organisation of tax information. All tax returns prepared using Tax Chat are reviewed, approved, and lodged by a registered Australian tax agent, who remains fully responsible for the accuracy, compliance, and advice provided in accordance with Australian tax law and Tax Practitioners Board requirements.

The key difference is the experience and expert know-how. Other online software forces you to navigate endless, confusing forms — essentially making you do the work of a tax agent. With Tax Chat, you simply have a conversation. Our smart tech asks you intuitive questions and provides expert guidance, just like a real tax agent would. It's faster, more engaging, and specifically designed to find every single deduction you're entitled to.