'This feels illegal': Australians divided after Gen Z woman shares her surprising way of completing tax return

Sky News AU

22-07-2025

Taxpayers have been left divided over an Australian woman's revelation about how she completed her tax return this year.
Gen Z woman Paije shared a video on TikTok, explaining she surprisingly completed her tax return on her phone.
"I'd like everyone to know that I did my tax return on my phone. I do everything on there," said the 28-year-old.
Some Aussies were baffled over how the woman did the tax return, something that can be complex at times, on her laptop instead of her phone.
"Criminal... flights, tax, and online furniture shopping are for tablets/laptops," one commented.
"This feels illegal," another said.
While a third simply commented "jail" in response.
Many agreed with Paije though, noting they also preferred to use their phone for purchases which historically have been reserved for computers or laptops.
"We organised a house build on a rural property on our phones. Also sold our other house on our phones. We also do our taxes, book holidays etc all on our phones. we don't own a computer," one said.
"A laptop/computer is just a giant phone?!?. Why wouldn't you be able to do all that on your phone? I purchased a house and took out a mortgage all from my phone," another commented.
"I booked my mum's international flights on my phone, I do taxes on my phone, I do therapy on my phone, I booked my dang wedding on my phone," a third said.
Another agreed that they also filled out their tax return on their phone, but when it came to big purchases they would use their laptop.
In a pair of other videos uploaded by Paije, she revealed her whopping HECS debt and how it impacted how much money she received in her tax return.
She showed her HECS debt had surpassed $90k, in a video which which garnered more than 420,000 views.
In the following video, she complained "the ATO is really out to get me" after receiving "the worst tax return I've ever had" with a refund of $921.75.
But commenters were quick to explain that was still a good tax return in comparison to others, as some often have to pay tax rather than receive a refund.
"You know if you get a large return that just means you paid too much tax during the year right? Tax returns aren't meant to be the cash windfall everyone expects them to be... getting a small return means you had some deductions that were claimable and that the tax you paid during the year was pretty much spot on," one said.
"Girl I OWE $450 after paying $30,000 in tax," another said.