Mac, Linux users still miss out on e-tax

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is currently revamping its technology strategy to bring it up to date with the needs of customers, but Mac and Linux users hoping to use this year's DIY e-tax software will be once again left out in the cold.

(Tax by definition image by Alan Cleaver, CC BY 2.0)

"Users of Macintosh and Linux operating systems will not be able to use e-tax 2011 without the use of an Intel-based Macintosh with a utility, such as Boot Camp, and a recommended Windows operating system, or the use of emulation software," the ATO told ZDNet Australia in a statement today, adding that approved operating systems include Windows XP, Vista and 7.

"We are in the process of developing our forward work-plan for our information technology program for the next five years, and one of our key focus areas will be investigating how to support various platforms and increase usability for the community."

The ATO said that it is aware of the constraints that it has placed on non-Microsoft users over the last five years, and as a result and will offer some financial relief as a result.

"We are aware of the constraints our current environment has for users operating on non-Microsoft platforms and the need to bring our systems up to date. Depending on your personal circumstances, emulation software or the Windows operating system acquired for this purpose may be tax deductible." the ATO said.

A trial of e-tax software on Mac and Linux operating systems was indefinitely delayed in 2008 following what the tax office called "significant challenges and complexities". Non-Windows users have missed out on the e-tax software ever since.