The Commissioner on the ATO’s new tactics

The Commissioner on the ATO’s new tactics

Gavin: In a recent speech, the Commissioner of Taxation, Chris Jordan, waxed lyrical on the ATO’s new approach to taxpayers and their problems with the ATO. Two of the issues he discussed were the ATO’s new ‘Fix it Squads’, and its approach to Dispute Resolution.

The following are excepts from this speech:

Collaborative Fix it squads

If you’ve ever:

• started a new business;
• taken on an employee;
• restructured your business, from a sole trader to a company for example; or
• considered selling or closing your business;

you know you have to be across regulation from local, state and federal government.

So, we are working with other government agencies to improve the experience for small businesses.

For example, we are working with Business Enterprise Centres, to help new businesses get off the ground.

We are also leading Small Business Fix-It squads across government to discuss the issues small business owners face and what we ca do to fix them.

Since last year we’ve run three squads on those topics I just mentioned. As a result of the feedback from small business we’ve:

• redesigned the ASIC business name transfer process to reduce red tape;
• developed a webcast and support material to guide you through the journey of selling or closing a business;
• published new online resources to help taxpayers understand the difference between different structures; and
• published a new ASIC guide for small business directors on the ASIC small business hub.

Disputes

You might be surprised to know that taxpayers and the ATO don’t always agree.

Let me give you a sense of the number of disputes (that occurred) last year – 2014/15

• There were more than 35 million returns lodged (made up of 17m income tax returns and 18m activity statements).
• Around 370,000 adjustments arising from audits.
• Around 26,000 objections.
• Around 700 cases lodged with courts/tribunals.
• Around 150 cases proceeded to decision.

We’ve put in place a number of strategies to resolve disputes as earl as possible, in a way that is less painful, less costly and better for participation in the system in the long run.

We’ve also increased the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with use of independent in-house facilitators to bring parties together. ADR is cheaper, fast and often a more successful path to sorting things out instead of drawn out legal disputes.

I’m pleased to announce that this month, we moved all of our small business objections work out of our Compliance group to our separate Review and Dispute Resolution area under a different Second Commissioner. This is intended to give anyone in dispute with us, a fresh set of eyes to the issue.

Ref: ATO website – Media Centre – Commissioner’s speeches

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