According to the old proverb, nothing in this life can said to be certain except death and taxes. ‘While this may be so and tax time is stressful for some, people should not despair if they run into problems that they cannot resolve with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO),’ Commonwealth Ombudsman Professor John McMillan said today.

Professor McMillan, who is also the Taxation Ombudsman, maintained that the ATO would inevitably make some mistakes—especially given that the number of tax returns to be processed ran into many millions. Complaint and review mechanisms existed to help sort out mistakes.

‘With tax time drawing to a close for another year, it is worth reminding people that if they have a tax-related problem that they are unable to resolve with the ATO, my office may be able to help,’ Professor McMillan said.

‘Tax issues can be complicated and not everyone has the knowledge or confidence to respond adequately when they believe that they have been treated unfairly. Having challenged a decision once without success, taxpayers can become overwhelmed and back down even though they think that they are right and the ATO wrong.

‘It’s the role of my office to investigate such problems and to ensure that all taxpayers are treated fairly.’

In 2008, the Ombudsman received 1,154 taxation complaints about a range of concerns and difficulties that required investigation. Broadly, the complaints were about:

Sixty-five per cent of tax-related complaints to the Ombudsman were resolved by the ATO: providing a clearer explanation to the complainant; offering an apology; expediting its processes; providing a financial remedy; or undertaking to reconsider a decision.

Complaints to the Ombudsman can be made by calling 1300 362 072 or completing and submitting the online complaint form available at www.ombudsman.gov.au.

People who prefer to speak in a language other than English can contact the Ombudsman’s office through the Translating and Interpreter Service on tel. 131 450. A TTY Service for people who are hearing, sight or speech impaired is available through the National Relay Service on tel. 133 677.

Media contact: Media 02 6276 3759

Date of release: 28 October 2009

Skip to main content
    0 results available.
      0 results available.
      language assistant menu topper outer language assistant menu topper inner

      Read documents in your language

      If you need more translations, please contact us via: 1300 362 072 or ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au

      According to the old proverb, nothing in this life can said to be certain except death and taxes. ‘While this may be so and tax time is stressful for some, people should not despair if they run into problems that they cannot resolve with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO),’ Commonwealth Ombudsman Professor John McMillan said today.

      Professor McMillan, who is also the Taxation Ombudsman, maintained that the ATO would inevitably make some mistakes—especially given that the number of tax returns to be processed ran into many millions. Complaint and review mechanisms existed to help sort out mistakes.

      ‘With tax time drawing to a close for another year, it is worth reminding people that if they have a tax-related problem that they are unable to resolve with the ATO, my office may be able to help,’ Professor McMillan said.

      ‘Tax issues can be complicated and not everyone has the knowledge or confidence to respond adequately when they believe that they have been treated unfairly. Having challenged a decision once without success, taxpayers can become overwhelmed and back down even though they think that they are right and the ATO wrong.

      ‘It’s the role of my office to investigate such problems and to ensure that all taxpayers are treated fairly.’

      In 2008, the Ombudsman received 1,154 taxation complaints about a range of concerns and difficulties that required investigation. Broadly, the complaints were about:

      • lodgement and processing issues (27 per cent), such as the application of taxation law to lump sum payments, incorrect information submitted by tax agents, processing delays and taxpayer difficulties with PAYG payments
      • debt collection (20 per cent)
      • administration of the superannuation guarantee (11 per cent)
      • taxpayer information (6 per cent)
      • auditing (5 per cent).

      Sixty-five per cent of tax-related complaints to the Ombudsman were resolved by the ATO: providing a clearer explanation to the complainant; offering an apology; expediting its processes; providing a financial remedy; or undertaking to reconsider a decision.

      Complaints to the Ombudsman can be made by calling 1300 362 072 or completing and submitting the online complaint form available at www.ombudsman.gov.au.

      People who prefer to speak in a language other than English can contact the Ombudsman’s office through the Translating and Interpreter Service on tel. 131 450. A TTY Service for people who are hearing, sight or speech impaired is available through the National Relay Service on tel. 133 677.

      Media contact: Media 02 6276 3759

      Date of release: 28 October 2009