Save
‘Lead me to what I need to investigate’: tax inspector
The Inspector-General of Taxation has reassured taxpayers that their confidentiality will be respected should they come forward with information on alleged ATO misconduct.

‘Lead me to what I need to investigate’: tax inspector
The Inspector-General of Taxation has reassured taxpayers that their confidentiality will be respected should they come forward with information on alleged ATO misconduct.

The Inspector-General of Taxation, Ali Noroozi, confirmed on Tuesday that he would investigate complaints aired by Fairfax Media and the ABC of inappropriate debt collection strategies.
The media investigation uncovered allegations of unreasonable use of garnishee notices at the ATO’s Adelaide office. Garnishee notices allow the ATO to take control of a taxpayer’s bank account without the taxpayer’s consent.
Whistleblower Richard Boyle told media that the Adelaide office had been instructed “quite clearly and categorically to start issuing standard garnishees on every case”.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Noroozi said 75 per cent of complaints received come from individual taxpayers, with the remaining quarter issued by small businesses.
The investigation will examine the ATO’s use of garnishee notices in tax debt management strategies, the policies and procedures associated with garnishee notices and the mechanisms in place to ensure staff adherence with the policies.
It will also look at key performance indicators (KPI) relationship with tax debt collection and staff performance and specific communications to staff about garnishee notices.
Speaking to Nest Egg’s sister site My Business, Mr Noroozi said the public shouldn’t hesitate in coming forward with information or complaints.
They should, however, be aware of the different confidentiality requirements associated with complaints opposed to submissions.
He explained, “If you want me to address that specific complaint, I will need your consent to disclose your information.
“If it’s a submission and you just want to share general information and you want to remain absolutely confidential then that is totally respected. I only need to get your permission if you want me to fix your particular problem.”
‘Give me something to lean on’
At the same time, Mr Noroozi asked informants to avoid making unsubstantiated claims.
“They’ve got to give me something to lean on,” he said.
“For example, if they send me something saying the tax officers are very bad, what am I going to do with that? What they need to do is – by all means remain anonymous – but lead me to what I need to investigate.
“Like, ‘I dealt with this particular tax office location, these were the problems that arose’.
“We will take submission in whatever case or form but the usefulness will depend on what they share.”
Mr Noroozi said the investigation will be performed as “expeditiously as possible”.
Those with information can make a complaint by visiting the Inspector-General of Taxation website.

Tax saving
How are Australians planning on spending their tax savings?
Essential bills, savings accounts, Christmas gifts and exchange-traded funds appear to be the big winners from the latest round of tax cuts, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Tax saving
First in the world: SA imposes EV tax
The South Australian government is the first government in the world to introduce an electronic vehicles tax following an announcement by the treasury. ...Read more

Tax saving
5 tips as tax deadline looms
Australians are being warned that they have just two weeks left to get their finances in order if they have not posted a tax return yet. ...Read more

Tax saving
ATO warns businesses of JobKeeper scam
The ATO is warning the community about a JobKeeper scam which is asking members to enter personal information. ...Read more

Tax saving
Why fast-tracking tax cuts won’t stimulate the economy
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has flagged that previously legislated tax cuts could be moved forward in a bid to help stimulate the Australian economy. ...Read more

Tax saving
Last-minute items to check off before 30 June
With the end of the financial year almost here, an accounting firm has outlined key changes with tax returns this year and flagged some last-minute tax strategies to consider before 30 June. ...Read more

Tax saving
Australia’s richest owe the Tax Office $772m
Australia’s elites and private companies fell $772 million in taxes due to miscalculations and deliberate tax avoidance, the Australian Taxation Office has revealed. ...Read more

Tax saving
Do you have to pay taxes on a trust?
Trusts are usually set up for business, estate planning and investment purposes to separate the legal and beneficial ownership of assets held within the structure. ...Read more

Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now

Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now

Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now

Meet the Manager with Trilogy’s Philip Ryan: RBA rates and property price growth
Listen now

Tax saving
How are Australians planning on spending their tax savings?
Essential bills, savings accounts, Christmas gifts and exchange-traded funds appear to be the big winners from the latest round of tax cuts, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Tax saving
First in the world: SA imposes EV tax
The South Australian government is the first government in the world to introduce an electronic vehicles tax following an announcement by the treasury. ...Read more

Tax saving
5 tips as tax deadline looms
Australians are being warned that they have just two weeks left to get their finances in order if they have not posted a tax return yet. ...Read more

Tax saving
ATO warns businesses of JobKeeper scam
The ATO is warning the community about a JobKeeper scam which is asking members to enter personal information. ...Read more

Tax saving
Why fast-tracking tax cuts won’t stimulate the economy
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has flagged that previously legislated tax cuts could be moved forward in a bid to help stimulate the Australian economy. ...Read more

Tax saving
Last-minute items to check off before 30 June
With the end of the financial year almost here, an accounting firm has outlined key changes with tax returns this year and flagged some last-minute tax strategies to consider before 30 June. ...Read more

Tax saving
Australia’s richest owe the Tax Office $772m
Australia’s elites and private companies fell $772 million in taxes due to miscalculations and deliberate tax avoidance, the Australian Taxation Office has revealed. ...Read more

Tax saving
Do you have to pay taxes on a trust?
Trusts are usually set up for business, estate planning and investment purposes to separate the legal and beneficial ownership of assets held within the structure. ...Read more