The last few months have seen tragic loss of lives, properties and wildlife. If you have been affected, here are some resources that may help ease some of your financial worries:

• The ATO’s bushfire support page offers impacted parties a range of tax assistance including:
  • extra time to pay debts or lodge tax forms
  • help finding lost tax file numbers
  • re-issuing income tax returns, activity statements and notices of assessment
  • help re-constructing lost tax records
  • fast tracking refunds owed
  • payment plans tailored to your circumstances
  • remittance of penalties or interest charged during the time you have been affected
  • lodgment and payment deferrals
  • you can also call their Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218.

• Australian banks are also ready to help those affected by the fires.
  Read more from the Australian Banking Association  or contact your bank directly to access disaster assistance such as:
  • deferral of scheduled loan repayments
  • waiving of fees and charges
  • debt consolidation
  • restructuring existing loans without incurring fees
  • deferring interest payments
  • additional finance to help cover cash flow shortages
  • deferring credit card payments
  • increasing emergency credit card limits.
• Financial assistance is available from the Federal Government including the Disaster Recovery Allowance.