THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson has welcomed the ATO’s decision to turn its small business independent review service into a permanent offering, following a highly successful pilot program.

Mr Billson said the ATO’s now permanent independent review service provides small businesses with a timely, free and fair dispute resolution pathway.

“I congratulate the ATO for taking a proactive approach with this commitment to help resolve small business tax disputes,” Mr Billson said.

“The ATO has acted quickly to implement a key recommendation in our recently released report: A tax system that works for small business which will help support small businesses when they disagree with an ATO audit position.

“This ATO decision is a substantial step in the right direction in ensuring small businesses are given a fair go," he said.

“More than 180 small businesses who participated in the pilot program reported the process was fair and independent, irrespective of the outcome, so we welcome the ATO’s move to lock in this service permanently.

“The ATO’s small business independent review service is a crucial part of ASBFEO’s vision of a tax system that works for the small business sector, so businesses can achieve greater productivity, return to profitability and grow employment.

“This ATO service marks an important contribution to a supportive environment which is needed now more than ever as small businesses recover from an incredibly tough 12 months.”

Small businesses engaged in a tax dispute are encouraged to contact ASBFEO for assistance on 1300 650 460 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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THE Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has today affirmed its commitment to assisting small businesses resolve their taxation disputes. Following a successful multi-year pilot, the ATO’s small business independent review service will be offered permanently as a dispute resolution option for eligible small businesses.

The ATO’s service aims to ensure eligible small businesses have an additional opportunity to resolve a dispute with the ATO in a cost-effective and time-efficient way.

Since the pilot program started in 2018, more than 1,200 small businesses have been offered the service and more than 180 small businesses have taken up the ATO’s offer.

ATO Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Geale said the service was all about ensuring small businesses are given the opportunity to achieve an independent, fast, free, and fair resolution when they disagree with the ATO’s audit position.

“Independence is critical when handling a dispute, so we ensure each and every independent review is done by an officer from a different part of the ATO who was not involved in the original audit," Mr Geale said.

“Small businesses who participated in our pilot told us they found the process to be fair and independent, irrespective of the independent review outcome, so this is a great result, and is a big part of why we are locking this service in permanently.”

Mr Geale clarified that taxpayers could request in-house facilitation at any stage of a dispute with the ATO and that the independent review occurs prior to the ATO issuing an amended assessment and any resulting debt being raised.

Australia is the only jurisdiction that provides so many dispute resolution options to small business taxpayers, according to the ATO, allowing them to be heard at audit, independent review, objection, Court or Tribunal, with appeal rights and Tribunal funding.

The ATO’s decision to transition the pilot to business as usual is consistent with recent recommendations made by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

The ATO’s small business independent review service is available to eligible small businesses in addition to other dispute options, for example, lodging an objection, in-house facilitation, or by taking the matter up with the Inspector General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman or the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

The service is available for eligible small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million in relation to disputes about income tax, GST, excise, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax, and fuel tax credits. Disputes about employer obligations like superannuation and fringe benefits tax are not eligible for the independent review service.

More information about the ATO’s independent review service including how to request a review and eligibility criteria is available on the ATO’s website.

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WITH Australia’s economy starting to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, this Monday (March 29) the House Economics Committee will gather key financial regulation bodies to discuss consumer protection, responsible lending, and other issues.

Witnesses from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Australian Securities and Investments Commission will appear at the hearing.

Committee chair Tim Wilson said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption and uncertainty in the financial sector.

"As Australia moves towards our 'post COVID normal', it is essential to maintain strong prudential regulation; promote competition; and ensure fair and transparent dealings to safeguard financial stability and consumer trust in the financial sector.

‘After the chair of ASIC stepped aside due to allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds during our last hearing, the committee is particularly interested in scrutinising ASIC’s response to the Treasury's review of ASIC governance, released in January this year," Mr Wilson said.

"The committee is also interested in hearing how APRA is promoting strong prudential regulation and operational resilience amongst financial institutions, including super funds."

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 29 March 2021
Time: 9am to 1.30pm
Venue: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra, and via videoconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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INDEPENDENT funding for ICAC is needed now, according to the Public Service Association, so the corruption watchdog can focus on its investigations rather than trying find annual budget savings.

"Every year budgetary pressure sees ICAC forced to go cap in hand to the Premier for supplementary funding," PSA general secretary Stewart Little said.

"In 2021, the fearless investigator is being asked to find $3.4 million in savings for the next four years.

"Without this cash it is hamstrung in its ability to sniff out corruption or run multiple investigations. The Berejiklian government is whittling it down to its smallest size in three decades."

The latest budget pressure comes after ICAC was forced to find $4.7 million in savings in 2019/20, and $2.9 million in 2018/2019.

"Independent and consistent funding, which is allocated at arm's length from the government, is needed urgently. Keeping NSW corruption free shouldn't be treated as a line item in the budget, it is a core service we need," Mr Little said.

"ICAC is the ultimate check on government. Funding independence removes any threat of pressure from those ICAC is investigating."

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