Snuggle up to savings

should get good advice from an accountant or financial planner to avoid mistakes.

‘‘ The ATO uses data matching with your tax file number so it’s going to get picked up,’’ he says. ‘‘ If you are keeping good records and getting sound advice, you can be pretty confident you are not going to fall foul of the ATO.’’

Ward says Australia’s selfassessment tax system means that, just because you claim a deduction and it gets through the ATO one year, it doesn’t mean that it’s a legitimate deduction, and may get picked up at a later date: ‘‘ Your accountant can report what you give them to report but you are ultimately responsible.’’ CHOOSING the wrong home heating option may more than double your energy costs this winter, but the right choice and some old-fashioned advice can save you hundreds of dollars.

Calculations by energy company Origin have found the cheapest way to heat your home is likely to be reversecycle airconditioning.

Origin energy adviser Anne Armansin says space heating is usually more expensive than personal heating, both in terms of purchase and running costs.

‘‘ If running costs are of concern, choose appliances with low wattage or megajoule consumption and rug up warmly,’’ she says.

‘‘ Heated throw rugs are a great, low-cost personal heating option. They’re like a little electric blanket. You are warm but not paying to heat the air around you.’’