Taxation Office's online e-tax facility, while a further 9 million now

file online via tax agents, which means forking out for the extra

compliance costs. A mere half a million use the old paper method.

Commissioner of Taxation Michael D'Ascenzo well recalls the initial hue

and cry about "big brother watching" when the returns went online in

2007. Regardless of delivery mode, research shows most Australians

"don't mind" filing an annual tax return, he says. Mainly because about

80% of the nation's personal taxpayers get a refund.