Rob Heferen’s first ATO corporate plan: “Increased focus” on businesses debts and a new SME blueprint
The Australian Taxation Office is pledging an "increased focus" on lingering business debts while preparing a new, multi-year program to improve small business tax performance.
Sole traders are under pressure, but the tide is turning to digital tax tools
It’s time Australian sole traders took tax matters into their own hands, and the technology is there for the taking.
The 2023-2024 tax season, by the numbers
We collate a handful of the key figures related to personal and business tax returns, and some of the more esoteric figures linked to the new financial year.
ATO reveals focus on WFH deductions, rental errors, and incomplete income this tax time
Dodgy work-from-home deductions, rental property errors, and miscalculated income continue to vex the Australian Taxation Office, which has warned taxpayers to pay special attention to this year's claims.
ATO ‘robotax’ debt recovery letters prompt new guidelines from government watchdogs
The ATO said it is committed to improving its communications to taxpayers about debt using the guidelines provided by the Ombudsman and Inspector-General.
ATO goes after $29.8 million owed by tax advisers
ATO officers have identified $29.8 million in liabilities from engagements with tax advisers who have failed to keep their affairs in order.
Seventeen properties raided over suspected use of tax-dodging point of sale technology
The crackdown on businesses suspected of using technology to obscure their tax obligations continues, with the Australian Taxation Office confirming raids on 17 premises in the past fortnight.
Atlassian commits to Australian IP retention in landmark $92 million settlement with ATO
Software giant Atlassian has settled a $92 million tax dispute with the ATO and has promised to keep its IP in Australia.
GST reviews to work deductions: Five takeaways for SMEs from ATO commissioner’s final speech
The entire 70-minute address is available for viewing online, but SmartCompany has highlighted five of the key points for small businesses.
Four-year gap in ATO small business fraud risk assessments exposed in Auditor-General report
The small business line of the ATO did not complete an external fraud assessment between 2019 and 2023, an ANAO report has revealed.
150 ATO officials investigated in massive TikTok GST fraud crackdown
At least 150 ATO officials have been investigated as part of a massive GST fraud crackdown, resulting in criminal proceedings and employment terminations, according to a bombshell report from the Auditor-General.
Trial underway in alleged $13 million PAYG tax fraud case
More than 100 hours of secret police recordings will be played at the trial of a group of men accused of illegally withholding over $13 million of tax from the government.
