Digital Taxes

Filing online in the US, UK, Australia and South Africa

By Jennifer JohnsonFebruary 2, 2006

Criteria for Comparison: “What Makes a Great Website?” and my experience -

Well-organized, edited, and timely original content set in an attractive, interactive, and consistent format are the traits of a great website.

Can I find what I want, quickly? Is the process simple and straight-forward? Are other languages included?

US, UK, OZ = OK

Possible for individuals and companies to file (aka “assess” or “lodge”) taxes online in the US, UK and Australia;

South Africa – companies can e-file, but not individuals. Can download information and forms as PDFs and Word documents.

Filing in the U.S.

Internal Revenue Service Fairly well organized with timely, accurate (we

hope…) information; Found some pages busier than for other

countries; Titles for links could have been more straight-

forward; Spanish option

Filing in Australia

http://www.ato.gov.au/ Well organized, original, timely and accurate; Walking through tabs on the left was a bit

tedious; Once you’re in, an easy process with logically

organized steps; Lodging a 2005 tax return In MANY Languages;

Filing in the UK

Well organized, original, timely and accurate; Easiest to navigate and find what I needed; Actual process more complicated than other countries

(file for a PIN, etc.); Had more problems than other sites – some pages not

available; Money, tax and benefits : Directgov Self Assessment - your tax return : Directgov - Money

tax and benefits Also in Welsh

South African and online taxes

Tax - SouthAfrica.info Information available, but not online filing; Many links were problematic – pages

unavailable; Main page listed phone numbers, maps and

other information you would need if e-filing is not an option;

Languages?

….and the winner is….

Australia – easiest overall process and in many languages;

UK – most readable and navigable screen; US – possible to file online; South Africa – could soon be in third

place….

Questions?