Matters relating to lodgement and processing (27 per cent) and debt collection (20 per cent) were the top two categories of all tax-related complaints made to the Taxation Ombudsman in 2008.

The most commonly made debt collection complaints, which increased by 6 per cent on the previous year, involved payment arrangements, actions of external debt collection agencies, debt waiver or write-off issues, and insolvency action.

Taxation Ombudsman Professor John McMillan today released his annual activity report on tax-related complaints. In 2008, he received 1154 complaints, down slightly from 1249 in 2007.

‘Complaints about tax administration indicate that Australian taxpayers still face a range of serious concerns and difficulties that require investigation and resolution,’ Professor McMillan said.

‘While the number of taxation complaints my office receives is declining, those complaints that are investigated are increasingly complex.

‘The regular contact my office has with taxpayers and the investigations we conduct into their problems with the tax system provide information that can assist to improve ATO administration.’

Complaints about lodgement and processing encompassed a variety of issues, including the application of taxation law to lump sum payments, incorrect information submitted by tax agents, processing delays and taxpayer difficulties with PAYG payments, and represented only a minor increase on the 2007 figures.

The office also received complaints about taxpayer information (6 per cent) and auditing (5 per cent). Complaints about the ATO’s administration of the superannuation guarantee (11 per cent) halved in the same period.

Professor McMillan said that as an external, independent and impartial complaint mechanism, his office strove to ensure fair administration and, as a result, engender public confidence in tax administration.

Download the report: The Taxation Ombudsman Activities 2008 report.

Media contact: Media 02 6276 3759

Date of release: 10 May 2009

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      10 May 2009: Tax-related complaints in 2008 a mixed bag

      Matters relating to lodgement and processing (27 per cent) and debt collection (20 per cent) were the top two categories of all tax-related complaints made to the Taxation Ombudsman in 2008.

      The most commonly made debt collection complaints, which increased by 6 per cent on the previous year, involved payment arrangements, actions of external debt collection agencies, debt waiver or write-off issues, and insolvency action.

      Taxation Ombudsman Professor John McMillan today released his annual activity report on tax-related complaints. In 2008, he received 1154 complaints, down slightly from 1249 in 2007.

      ‘Complaints about tax administration indicate that Australian taxpayers still face a range of serious concerns and difficulties that require investigation and resolution,’ Professor McMillan said.

      ‘While the number of taxation complaints my office receives is declining, those complaints that are investigated are increasingly complex.

      ‘The regular contact my office has with taxpayers and the investigations we conduct into their problems with the tax system provide information that can assist to improve ATO administration.’

      Complaints about lodgement and processing encompassed a variety of issues, including the application of taxation law to lump sum payments, incorrect information submitted by tax agents, processing delays and taxpayer difficulties with PAYG payments, and represented only a minor increase on the 2007 figures.

      The office also received complaints about taxpayer information (6 per cent) and auditing (5 per cent). Complaints about the ATO’s administration of the superannuation guarantee (11 per cent) halved in the same period.

      Professor McMillan said that as an external, independent and impartial complaint mechanism, his office strove to ensure fair administration and, as a result, engender public confidence in tax administration.

      Download the report: The Taxation Ombudsman Activities 2008 report.

      Media contact: Media 02 6276 3759

      Date of release: 10 May 2009