Tax Concierge

Ombudsman praises ATO small business independent review service

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 04:06:29 +0000

Ombudsman praises ATO small business independent review service admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 15:06

26 March 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the ATO’s decision to turn its small business independent review service into a permanent offering, following a highly successful pilot program.

Mr Billson says the ATO’s now permanent independent review service provides small businesses with a timely, free and fair dispute resolution pathway.

“I congratulate the ATO for taking a proactive approach with this commitment to help resolve small business tax disputes,” Mr Billson says.

“The ATO has acted quickly to implement a key recommendation in our recently released report: A tax system that works for small business which will help support small businesses when they disagree with an ATO audit position.

“This ATO decision is a substantial step in the right direction in ensuring small businesses are given a fair go.

“More than 180 small businesses who participated in the pilot program reported the process was fair and independent, irrespective of the outcome, so we welcome the ATO’s move to lock in this service permanently.

“The ATO’s small business independent review service is a crucial part of ASBFEO’s vision of a tax system that works for the small business sector, so businesses can achieve greater productivity, return to profitability and grow employment.

“This ATO service marks an important contribution to a supportive environment which is needed now more than ever as small businesses recover from an incredibly tough 12 months.”

Small businesses engaged in a tax dispute are encouraged to contact ASBFEO for assistance on 1300 650 460 or email info@asbfeo.gov.au.

New rules to ensure small businesses in dispute with ATO get a fairer go

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 03:49:02 +0000

New rules to ensure small businesses in dispute with ATO get a fairer go admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 14:49

10 May 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says small businesses in dispute with the ATO will get a fairer go, under new rules proposed by the Australian Government.

Mr Billson welcomed the pre-Budget announcement, giving the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) greater powers to pause or change debt recovery actions applying to a small business in dispute with the ATO.

“Small businesses disputing an ATO debt in the AAT will get a fairer go by stopping the ATO from relentlessly pushing on with debt recovery actions against a small business, while the case is being heard,” Mr Billson says.

“I commend the government which has acted quickly to implement a key recommendation in our recently released report: A tax system that works for small business which will allow small businesses to pause ATO debt recovery actions until their case is resolved by the AAT.

“Currently, small businesses are only able to pause or modify ATO debt recovery actions through the court system. This can be prohibitively expensive and time consuming for a small business.

“Under the proposed changes, small businesses can save thousands of dollars in legal fees, not to mention up to two months waiting for a ruling.

“In line with the recommendations in our report, the AAT will be able to pause or modify any ATO debt recovery actions, such as garnishee notices, interest charges and other penalties until the dispute is resolved by the AAT.

“It means that rather than spending time and money fighting in court, small business owners can get on with what they do best – running and growing their business.

“These proposed changes follow the ATO’s decision to turn its small business independent review service into a permanent offering.

“ASBFEO’s tax concierge service and ongoing advocacy work has led to substantial tax administration improvements for SMEs, with leadership from ATO Deputy Commissioner �Թ�� Deborah Jenkins and government support.

“Collectively, these changes align with ASBFEO’s vision of a tax system that works for the small business sector, so businesses can achieve greater productivity, return to profitability and grow employment.”

The new powers for the AAT will be available following Royal Assent of the legislation.

Small businesses engaged in a tax dispute are encouraged to contact ASBFEO for assistance on 1300 650 460 or email info@asbfeo.gov.au .

�Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman backs tax report

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:38:15 +0000

�Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman backs tax report admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 13:38

14 October 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has strongly backed a call from the Inspector-General of Taxation for the Australian Taxation Office to more consistently and transparently inform taxpayers of their right to review, complain, and appeal decisions.

“This is a significant investigation and report by the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman, Ms Karen Payne, and the findings and recommendations are really important for delivering a better and fairer tax system,” Mr Billson said.

“Tax issues are among the top concerns for small businesses, and it is critical for the Tax Office to step up as a modern revenue agency to help people as part of their Charter.”

Ms Payne’s report called for the Tax Office to update the Taxpayers’ Charter to include an express right to be informed of rights to review, complain and appeal decisions and to be told about all relevant channels to do so.

The report found over the past three years fewer than 1 per cent of Tax Office staff had attended a training course to teach them how to tell taxpayers about their rights to complain, review or appeal a decision and a survey found 60 per cent of taxpayers were unaware of or had not used the Tax Office’s complaints function.

“I am pleased the Tax Office has embraced this report from the Inspector-General and has committed to working through these important recommendations,” Mr Billson said.

“I look forward to seeing the Tax Office implement these changes to improve the way it deals with taxpayers.”

The ASBFEO has released several reports outlining measures to improve the tax system for small business, especially around the vital need to tell taxpayers about their opportunities to complain about or have a decision reviewed.

Since March 2019, more than 650 small businesses have sought the help of the ASBFEO’s �Թ�� Tax Concierge Service - a team of specialists and case managers who respond to requests for assistance from small business who receive a negative decision from the Tax Office.

For further information about the Concierge Service call 1300 650 460 or email info@asbfeo.gov.au

Media contact: 0448 467 178

Ombudsman urges small businesses to get on the front foot at tax time

Toby — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 02:19:32 +0000

Ombudsman urges small businesses to get on the front foot at tax time Toby Thu, 12/02/2021 - 13:19

30 June 2021

The Australian �Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has urged struggling small and family businesses to be proactive at tax time, as a new report reveals declining payment plans despite record collectible debt owed to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Mr Billson says the report, released today by the Inspector General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO), shows that although SMEs owe $21 billion to the ATO – well over half of this collectible debt is held by just 6.4% of SMEs.

“The vast majority of small business owners are doing the right thing and complying with their tax obligations,” Mr Billson says.

“This report shows that while collectible debt owed by small businesses to the ATO has reached an all-time-high, in reality the breakdown sees the majority of debt owed by very few SMEs while the remainder is very small amounts of debt spread over a small percentage of Australia’s more than 2 million SMEs.

“In fact, less that one per cent of small businesses owe $2.5 billion to the ATO, according to the IGTO’s report.”

Mr Billson says the reported decline in small business payment plan arrangements over the past three years is a concern.

“For those small businesses that are struggling to meet their tax obligations, now is not the time to put your head in the sand,” Mr Billson says.

“Small businesses are strongly encouraged to get on the front foot by lodging now and reaching out to the ATO – either online or by phone - for a tailored payment plan, if having difficulties meeting payment obligations.

“The ATO has told my office it is also introducing a system for payment plans in arrears to give small and family businesses a chance to get back on track rather than falling into default and having to start again.

“While the ATO is signalling plans to return to collection action, which it relaxed during the pandemic, it has also indicated to my office that its predominant strategy is to support and assist small businesses wherever possible.

“The ATO has acted on key recommendations in ASBFEO’s report: A tax system that works for small business to turn its small business independent review service into a permanent offering.

“This is in addition to the Australian Government giving the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) greater powers to pause or change debt recovery action applied to small businesses in dispute with the ATO.”

Small businesses engaged in a tax dispute are encouraged to contact ASBFEO for assistance on 1300 650 460 or email info@asbfeo.gov.au

Tax Concierge

Ombudsman praises ATO small business independent review service

New rules to ensure small businesses in dispute with ATO get a fairer go

�Թ��� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman backs tax report

Ombudsman urges small businesses to get on the front foot at tax time

�Թ�� and Family Enterprise Ombudsman backs tax report