Bunnings worker furious over pathetic $191 tax return after low and middle-income tax offset ended

A part-time Bunnings worker has taken to social media to express her dismay about her measly tax return, as Australians vent their frustration at the axing 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 offset (LMITO) that came to an end last financial year.

In a short clip set to the RnB song ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ by Destiny’s Child, the woman, known as Tash Griffin, shows her followers that she is due to receive just $191.72 from the tax office this year.

One follower asked her: ‘Did you even claim anything? haha I get back $6k-$10k every year.’

Ms Griffin hit back at the response in a second video, saying: ‘If I had a dollar for every single time someone commented about whether I claimed anything, I’d have more than what I got in my tax return.’ 

‘I know how to claim deductions, but the thing is, I am a part-time worker at Bunnings. What is there to claim? I’m not a tradie who has a million tools I can claim – I’m sorry,’ she said.   

‘My work uniform? Already claimed on last year’s tax. I can’t do it again. Sorry. So [unless] someone wants to enlighten me on other things I can claim, I need everyone to shut up.’

Ms Griffin said last year she had received more than $3,000 in her tax return.  

The low and middle-income tax offset (LMITO) came to an end last financial year 

Other social media users empathised with her plight, sharing their own stories of disappointment. 

We’re getting bugger all back this 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 are getting an extra 9k in their tax returns’. 

Over on Twitter, Australians were also venting their anger at the ending of the LMITO.

‘Letting the LMITO lapse is one of the worst strategic decisions I’ve ever seen,’ one post read.

‘It was the perfect opportunity to sell cutting the Stage 3 cuts but instead all people will see is going from having big returns to suddenly owing tax while knowing the rich get a cut in a year.’  

The temporary LMITO was introduced in the 2018-19 budget by then-Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, extended during the pandemic, and then increased by the Morrison government during its pre-election March 2022 budget for one year.

That increase meant that, for the 2021-22 financial year, Australians earning $126,000 a year or less were given a tax cut 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.

The legislation introducing the LMITO, also known as the ‘lamington’, ended last financial year with Treasurer Jim Chalmers opting not to further extend the measure.