Disclaimer: The content provided is general in nature and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Origin recommends you seek your own independent tax advice prior to lodging your tax return.

What can you claim at tax time?

Energy expenses

Working from home means many of us are using more electricity to run multiple devices. The good news is that you may be able to claim a portion of your energy expenses (both electricity and gas), including heating, cooling and lighting. If you’re an Origin customer, you can download your bills and account statements via My Account or through the Origin app. Our tax time help & support page will show you how.

Phone and internet

You can claim the cost of using your phone and internet while you’re working from home. Simply keep your phone and internet bills, along with a record of your work-related use. If you’re planning to claim using the actual cost method, any internet usage by others in your household must be taken into account when you’re working out your work-related use. The alternative is to claim these expenses under the fixed rate method (more info on this below).

Cleaning costs

If you have a dedicated home office, you may be able to claim cleaning expenses. Remember to keep your receipts handy. 

Stationery and office supplies

Think about all the things you use to get your job done. Eligible items include office furniture such as chairs, desks and lamps, general stationery and office tech —like computers, printers and consumables (e.g. ink and paper). Be sure to have your receipts handy for any purchases you’ve made and a record of your work-related use. An outright deduction can’t be claimed for items of office furniture, computers, and printers unless they cost $300 or less. If they cost more than $300, however, you can claim their decline in value as a deduction. 

Deductions you can’t claim

It’s important to also keep in mind there are some items you can’t claim for. These include:

• Coffee, tea, milk and other general household items, even if your employer may provide these at work.
• Costs that relate to your children’s education, such as equipment you buy – for example, iPads, desks and subscriptions for online learning.
• Items your employer provides – like laptops or mobile phones.
• Expenses where your employer reimburses you for the cost.

How do I calculate my working from home deduction?

There are two ways you can calculate your deduction for additional running expenses – the fixed rate method, or the actual cost method.  

The fixed rate method allows you to claim 67 cents for every hour you work from home and covers your additional running expenses that are often difficult to apportion, including data and internet, mobile and home phone usage, electricity and gas, stationery and computer consumables (e.g. printer ink). You can’t claim these items separately, elsewhere in your return. 

To claim a deduction using the fixed rate method, you’ll need to have records that show: 

• The total number of hours you worked from home between 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024, and 
• The additional running costs you incurred (at least one record of each). 

If you don’t use the fixed rate method to calculate your working from home expenses, you’ll need to use the actual cost method, and additional records will be required.  

Consult the ATO website

Our tips are not tax advice and are intended to be general in nature. We recommend you keep a record of all your receipts and working hours as evidence, and that you seek expert advice from a registered tax professional before you lodge your return.

For more information on what you can and can’t claim check the ATO website and for businesses check out ATO website for business. 

What are my options when lodging my tax return?

Knowing what you can claim is the first step. Knowing how you can claim is the next big step to tackle. There are a few ways you can lodge your tax return: 

• Lodge directly through the ATO: You can lodge online using the ATO’s free and secure platform myTax. First, you’ll need to create a myGov account and link it to the ATO.  
• Book an appointment with a registered tax agent: If you prefer to do things face-to-face, meet with a registered tax agent who’ll prepare and lodge a tax return on your behalf. 

If you’re planning on engaging a registered tax agent to lodge on your behalf, make you sure you check that they’re registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. 

Talk to the experts

Still not quite sure where to start? That’s okay, you can always talk to the experts and get the help you need to make the process as easy as possible. Speak to the ATO, or your registered tax agent to help get you on your way. 

This article has been created in collaboration with the Australian Taxation Office. For more helpful tax info visit the ATO Community or the ATO website.

The post Tax time made easier with these tips appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Download our app

With the Origin app, you can manage your energy accounts right from the palm of your hand. There are a number of handy features that can help you take control of your energy including:

• Check your account balance 
• View, download and pay your bills 
• View your energy plan and rates  
• Change your energy plan 
• Submit a self-meter read if you’ve received an estimate  
• See exclusive rewards and offers 
• Arrange your move-in or move out

If you have a smart meter, you can also view and track your energy usage*, allowing you to see what you’re using and when. Solar customers can also see how much energy they’ve fed back into the grid, and any credits they’ve earned. And Spike members can check their Watts balance, cash them in for rewards, and see any upcoming SpikeHours or events. 

Download the app today via Google Play or the App Store.

Log in to My Account

If you’d prefer to access your account online, our online portal, My Account, to do all the above as well. 

To set up an account, you’ll just need the email address that’s linked to your account. We’ll send you a code to make sure we have the correct email – then simply choose your password and you’re good to go.  

If you don’t already have access, you can register right here in just a few steps.

Reach out to us directly

Can’t find what you’re looking for in the app or My Account? We’ve got you. Shoot an email to our friendly customer team via hello@originenergy.com.au and we’ll get back to you. Alternatively, you can reach us on 13 24 61 or via our Socials.  

*We’re aware that not all customers are currently able to view their usage information online and apologise for the inconvenience. Our team are working on a fix and we hope to have the service restored as soon as we can.  

The post How to self-serve with Origin appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Change with the seasons

Changing how you use energy during the seasons is an easy way to take control of your usage. In winter, only heating the rooms you’re using can have a big impact. If the family, or your housemates, are spending majority of the day in the living room make sure the heating is off in the other rooms and ensure the doors are shut – this will trap in the heat. When using the heater, the most energy-efficient temperature to set it to is between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. Each degree above that uses roughly 10% more energy.

In summer, we know that the fan won’t always cut it and the air conditioner is sometimes a must. To make sure your air conditioner is working efficiently and not using more energy that it needs, it’s a good idea to give the filters a good clean or replace them regularly.

The temp you set your air conditioner can also make a big difference to your bill. Even on those super-hot days, it’s best to set it to 24°C or higher – each degree under that uses 5-10% more energy. And for even bigger savings, only flick it on when it’s over 30°C outside.

Give standby power the flick

Standby power, also known as vampire power, refers to the energy drawn down by an appliance when it’s not in use. An easy way to avoid this energy drainer, which can cost the average Aussie household up to $100 per year, is to flick appliances off at the power point when they’re not in use.

Switch up your usage habits

Sometimes it’s our routines, or the time we do our tasks, that are costing us. With some small switches in thinking we can reduce our usage. Instead of doing half-loads of washing, only wash when you have a full load. And opt for a cold water cycle instead – about 90% of the energy used by your washing machine goes towards heating the water.

Considering when you put the washing machine, or the dishwasher on, could also help you save. With our energy-saving rewards program, Spike, you get “Watts” for hitting your energy-saving goals (forecasts) during peak times (SpikeHours). You can then redeem your Watts for PayPal cash and gift cards. So, by delaying turning on your dishwasher by an hour, you could hit your SpikeHour target and be rewarded!

Take advantage of the tools

Take advantage of our Origin app or online portal My Account. These tools can help you remove the guesswork when it comes to tracking your energy usage, comparing our energy plans and staying on top of your bills.

Whether it’s making slight adjustments to your daily routine or downloading apps to help you make that good energy switch, we’ve got you covered.

The post 4 easy ways to help reduce energy usage appeared first on The Origin Blog.

For the last four years, Sarah’s role has focused on creating Origin’s digital solutions and improving the customer experience through accessibility and personalisation. Sarah has delivered Origin’s mobile app and live chat – tools that make energy easier and help customers take control.

“The world is changing rapidly, and so are our customers’ expectations. They want transparency and control and they want to engage with us anywhere, anytime. From web browsers to apps, smart home devices and voice technology – we’ll be there, where they want us,” says Sarah.

Inviting customers to the new Origin Customer Experience Lab, in our Melbourne office, to talk through products and ideas has helped us discover customer problems and test potential solutions.

Sarah continues, “We absorb customer feedback, data and insights to hone-in on what our customers want and expect. We then research and test new solutions until we land on the best result.

“We believe that energy should be easy, and we’re offering tools and services to do just that through our app and online. It’s about helping our customers to understand their energy use and get on top of their energy management – making a difference to their bills and their impact on our planet. That’s one of the ways we’re getting energy right.”

When it comes to our app, Sarah says, “I’ve been blown away by the response we’ve received. Energy is typically a low engagement category, but we’ve seen our customers using our app twice or more a week on average for everything from paying their bill, monitoring usage, submitting their own meter readings or booking a move.

“This is just the beginning of a smarter, simpler Origin with easier service for our customers. We’ll continue to expand our digital platform, making our online channels the channel-of-choice for customers.”

The post Creating a digital-first customer experience appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Since May we’ve had over 200,000 people use our new iOS app, with a growing number of customers taking control of their Origin account online. With this, we’re now seeing our customers using the app around 2.5 times a week to track their energy usage or manage their account.

Get the app here.

Why download the app?

Our award winning iOS mobile app make it easy for you to:

• Track your energy usage. Break it down with filters like monthly, daily or by billing cycle and more (if you have a smart meter).
• See your past bills and payments.
• Pay your bills with just one tap, or setup direct debit.
• Chat to us directly from the app if you need a helping hand.
• Send us your self meter read (if your meter is eligible – read more).
• Moving house? Now you can book your move in minutes from the app.

Solar customers can even see how much energy they’ve fed back into the grid, and any credits they’ve earned.

More in the works

Our iOS app follows the launch of our first ever Android app, and they now share all of the same great features. We’re excited to see more and more people downloading and using our digital tools, and we’re hard at work on some exciting new features coming up early next year. Keen to take things a little further? Jump into My Account where you can access ‘power features’ like setting alerts for upcoming bills and more.

The post Origin app hits ‘number one in Utilities’ on App Store appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Written by Kristy Leigh

From splitting your bills to helping you find the cheapest petrol in town, here are some handy apps that could help save you some coin.

1. Splitwise

If you’re living with a housemate, or in a share house, Splitwise is a great option to consider. The app allows you to organise household income, spending and even calculates who owes you money.

Three great things about it:

1. All housemates can log in to check balances and add new expenses.
2. It notifies everyone when an update is made or when important bills are due.
3. It lets you keep track of bills, group trips and any ‘I owe you’ arrangements.

2. Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Getting your tax return sorted is always a tedious task, especially if you haven’t been tracking your expenses throughout the year. The ATO app is incredible in that it helps you organise your tax, your work-related claims and provides help with your super.

Three great things about it:

1. The app consolidates work-related expenses, making it easy to claim deductions at tax time.
2. You can use the tax withheld calculator within the app.
3. It allows you to look up Australian Business Numbers.

You’ll need to link a myGov account to the ATO in order to use the app. 

3. Fuel Map Australia

Whether it’s looking for an outfit on sale or keeping an eye out for specials at the grocery store, we’re always looking for the best price. Fuel Map Australia helps you save at the pump by displaying the price of petrol around your suburb, helping you decide whether or not the extra two minute drive is really worth it.

Three great things about it:

1. Locations of petrol stations are shown on the map as a branded pin with the last known fuel price displayed above.
2. Users can add current fuel prices which are then shared with other users on the map.
3. Fuel Map also has a handy fuel log which lets you track your fuel purchases and keep tabs on your vehicle’s fuel economy.

4. ASIC’s TrackMyGoals

Lusting over a relaxing island getaway to Hawaii or an adventurous trek to Machu Picchu?  Asic’s Track My Goals app lets you set a savings goal for whatever your next big spend might be. If you’ve got the Monday blues and are tempted to hit ‘snooze’, this app might just be the motivation you’re looking for to jump out of bed!

Three great things about it:

1. Create multiple savings goals at once, then prioritise them how you see fit.
2. Helps keep you motivated and accountable by being able to track how close you are to your goal on the go.
3. Handy daily saving tips pop up each day, providing you with fresh inspo on how you can save some extra coin (e.g. Bring your lunch to work today instead of buying it).

5. Origin

Keeping track of your energy usage can be a huge help come bill payment time. The Origin app is a home energy management tool that brings together all of the most useful energy-related data into one place.

Three great things about it:

1. You can review, edit and manage your energy usage. 
2. Origin’s mobile app lets you take control of your energy account, understand your household usage including predictions for your next bill.
3. You’ll get alerts to help you stay on top of your bills.

Want to take control and make sure you’re on the best plan for your household? Check out our energy plan info page.

About the author

Kristy works in the Origin Social Media team and is currently studying a diploma of photography on the side. Outside of work and study, she loves going on weekend adventures, creating short travel vlogs and soaking up the sunshine (when it makes an appearance in Melbourne).

The post These apps could save you money appeared first on The Origin Blog.