the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) don't make it easy for anyone
Yeah, US tax is the same. As well as Japan. (I have to pay both, being an American in Japan). I don't think they necessarily make it harder on purpose, but they do nothing to simplify the process.
But anyway, sounds like you are in a lousy situation. I hope the new accounting firm handles things much better.
I haven't run into too many problems beyond just trying to organize and file everything. I don't have an accountant per se, but I pay Turbotax extra to handle everything for me on the US side and on the Japan side I slowly work my way through it myself.
Paying tax to two countries isn't my idea if fun.
I'll have to wait until the end of the tax year process from July and see how things go but it looks promising. The last firm is now out of the way, and the new one has all the access required to the ATO on my behalf so it should be smooth sailing. We'll see though.
Good luck with your Japanese tax return.
Yeah, it's not fun.... but oh well. No use complaining, eh? So I just try to get it done.
Thanks for the good luck wishes!