Zero to Mini Hero Program - 2026

Master the basics of tax return preparation in the Zero to Mini Hero Program, a 12-part program designed for those new to tax or in need of a refresher.

Featuring a case study throughout, the program is complemented by client ‘source documents’, templates, model answers, and more.

In this program, we cover:

• Tax Compliance Basics

  • Introducing the tax system

  • Income tax fundamentals, including income and deductions

  • Capital gains

  • Tax credits & offsets

  • A typical workflow in the tax compliance process

  • Introduction to substantiation requirements and tax reconciliations

• Preparation of Tax Returns for Individuals

  • Using prefill and other ATO reports & information

  • Specific income for individuals

  • Specific deductions for individuals

  • Medicare Levy & Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS)

  • Preparation of income tax returns using a case study

• Preparation of Tax Returns for Partnerships

  • Tax law partnerships

  • Common law partnerships

  • Preparation of tax reconciliation and income tax returns using case study

• Preparation of Tax Returns for Companies

  • Overview of companies

  • Base rate entities (BRE) and small business entities (SBE)

  • Applying losses and trading stock considerations

  • Franking and imputation system

  • Paying dividends and Division 7A (including Minimum Yearly Repayments, MYR)

  • Preparation of tax reconciliation and income tax return using a case study

• Preparation of Tax Returns for Trusts

  • Overview of trusts and trust losses

  • Streaming of income and Family Trust Elections (FTE)

  • Reading a trust deed and distribution resolution

  • Distributions to beneficiaries

  • Income for trust law and tax law purposes

  • Reading a managed investment fund tax statement

  • Preparation of tax reconciliation and income tax return using a case study

• Tax Administration & Professional Ethics

  • Overview of ethics for new accountants

  • Substantiation and record-keeping

  • Tax Agent obligations

  • Overview of ATO administration framework

  • Reliance on ATO documents

  • Interest and penalties

• The Big Picture & Tax Planning Basics

  • Calculating the effective tax rate

  • Preparation of a group tax summary using case study

  • Tax planning considerations

  • Distributions and beneficiaries

  • Discussion of tax planning scenarios using the case study