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https://ato.gov.au
Australian Taxation Office
Related Questions
What are the penalties for failing to lodge a tax return?
If you fail to lodge your tax return on time, the ATO may impose penalties and interest charges. The penalties can range from a small fee to a more substantial penalty or even legal action in some cases. The penalties increase over time the longer you delay your lodgement.
What support does the ATO offer to small businesses?
The ATO recognises the challenges faced by small businesses, and offers a range of support services to help them comply with their tax obligations. This includes free education resources, low-cost business activity statement (BAS) lodgement services, and access to small business assistance programs.
What is the ATO and what does it do?
The ATO, or Australian Taxation Office, is the government agency responsible for administering Australia's taxation system, including the collection of taxes, the delivery of benefits and credits, and the regulation of financial affairs. The ATO's main focus is to ensure that taxpayers comply with their tax obligations, and to support them in fulfilling these obligations in a fair and efficient manner.
What happens if I fail to pay my tax on time?
If you fail to pay your tax on time, the ATO may take enforcement action, such as imposing penalties and interest charges, garnishing your wages, or recovering the debt through legal proceedings. In some cases, the ATO may also issue a bankruptcy notice or a wind-up notice.
How does the ATO deal with tax evasion and fraud?
The ATO has a range of measures in place to detect and prevent tax evasion and fraud, including sophisticated data matching and analytics systems, intelligence gathering, and investigations. When tax evasion or fraud is detected, the ATO takes a range of enforcement actions, such as issuing fines, penalties, and legal proceedings.
What is the ATO doing to prevent tax avoidance by multinational companies?
The ATO is working to address tax avoidance by multinational companies by implementing a range of measures, such as imposing stricter transfer pricing rules, introducing a diverted profits tax, and increasing cooperation with other countries through initiatives like the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project.
Can I appeal an ATO decision?
Yes, taxpayers have the right to appeal an ATO decision if they disagree with it. This can be done through a range of avenues, such as internal review, objection, or appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the Federal Court.
How can I get help from the ATO if I am experiencing financial difficulty?
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can contact the ATO's debt help service, which offers free assistance and advice. The ATO may be able to offer payment arrangements or other options to help you manage your tax debt.
Can I lodge my tax return with the ATO online?
Yes, the ATO offers a free online tax lodgement service called myTax. It is designed to simplify the process of submitting your tax return, and can be accessed through the ATO's website. However, not all taxpayers are eligible to use myTax, so it's important to check the ATO's criteria before attempting to lodge your return online.
What types of taxes does the ATO collect?
The ATO collects various types of taxes, including income tax, goods and services tax (GST), fringe benefits tax (FBT), and excise duty. In addition to these main taxes, the ATO also administers a range of smaller taxes, such as luxury car tax and wine equalisation tax.