Business News Releases

ATO must improve handling of tax disputes

THE ATO handles most disputes satisfactorily; however some disputes go off the rails, according to a report tabled today by Chair of the House Tax Committee, Bert van Manen MP.

The committee inquiry found that some disputes can go awry because of the ATO’s strong powers, the fact that the ATO does not engage with taxpayers, and that the ATO’s investigators and reviewers, for the great majority of disputes, are located in the compliance area of the ATO.

The committee Chair said poorly managed disputes had severe consequences for taxpayers.

“The committee received evidence that taxpayers suffer enormous emotional stress. Disputes can contribute to marriages breaking-up.”

The report, which focuses on small taxpayers and individuals, acknowledges the improvements that the ATO has made over the last few years. However, the committee believes that the ATO can build on these reforms with further actions.

A key recommendation is that the Government should create a new Second Commissioner to manage objections and litigation independently from the compliance and legal areas of the ATO. Further, the ATO should:
• have more robust protocols on communication between auditors and objections officers
• have more robust processes for making allegations or findings of fraud or evasion
• have the burden of proof in relation to fraud or evasion after the statutory record-keeping period has expired
• be more reasonable in terms of deadlines and volumes when making information requests of taxpayers
• consider having a direct discussion with taxpayers at the various stages of a dispute.

Mr van Manen said, “The ATO is a well-run, highly professional organisation, and the vast majority of disputes are handled in an appropriate and fair manner. The committee does not wish this report to be seen as lessening the ATO’s role in collecting revenue legally due. However, there is scope for improvement and full implementation of the committee’s recommendations will produce a fairer tax system, leading to better outcomes for taxpayers and also for the ATO.”

http://www.aph.gov.au/taxrev

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ARA eftpos Australian Retail Awards now open

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is calling on all retailers to enter now for the 2015 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards.

The ARA Awards are now officially open across eleven categories and designed to celebrate success across the entire retail industry. As Australia’s first and largest national retail awards program, the ARA Awards have now celebrated Australia’s leading retailers for over 40 years.

“The ARA Awards have become something of an icon,” said ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman.

“Each year, the ARA Awards capture stories of hardworking and innovative retailers who are thriving despite daily challenges. The ARA Awards provide retailers with the valuable opportunity to showcase their business on a national stage and demonstrate just how focussed they are on their customers and the communities in which they operate.

“While business conditions remain less than ideal, 2015 is shaping up to be an exciting year and it’s important for us as an industry to unite and celebrate all of the hardworking retailers across the country.
 
“The 2015 ARA Awards are shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before, and we look forward to recognising those that are reinventing the retail industry at the Awards Breakfast ceremony on Thursday 2 July in Melbourne.

“There is an award category to suit every retailer - from our HR superstars, retail graduates and mum-and-dad owner operators, right through to those who have completed an amazing retail store fit-out or those leading the way in retail payment technologies. Of course, we’re also looking for the ‘Retailer of the Year,’ ‘Innovator of the Year’ and ‘Retail Employer of the Year’ among others. You’ve got to be in to win!” Mr Zimmerman said.

This year, the ARA Awards are again proudly supported by eftpos as the events major sponsor. eftpos Managing Director Bruce Mansfield said he hoped to see a record number of retailers enter this year’s awards and share their inspiring success stories.

“eftpos is proud to support these awards because they recognise the extraordinary work that is done by the hundreds of thousands of retailers who serve Australian communities every single day,” Mr Mansfield said.

ARA Retail Awards -  key information and dates:

WHAT: 2015 eftpos ARA Australian Retail Awards
WHEN: Entries now open and due by Friday 8 May 2015
(Winners will be announced at the ARA Awards Breakfast in Melbourne on 2 July 2015)
TO ENTER: Visit www.australianretailawards.com.au to view eligibility criteria and select from twelve award categories
MORE INFORMATION: Phone 1300 368 041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


ARA Award categories:

  • eftpos Australian Retailer of the Year
  • BDO Australian Retail Employer of the Year
  • The Realise Group Australian Independent Retailer of the Year
  • Pronto Software Australian Retail Innovator of the Year
  • Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software Australian Retail Graduate of the Year
  • NORA Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year
  • FCB Australian Retail HR Rising Star of the Year
  • Rest Industry Super Individual Retailer of the Year
  • Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Retailer of the Year
  • Shop for Shops Australian Retail Store Fit-out of the Year
  • MasterCard Australian Retail Payments Leader of the Year

 

With thanks to our sponsors:
Major event sponsor: eftpos
Category sponsors: Expr3ss! Staff Selection Software, Roy Morgan, BDO, The Realise Group, Pronto Software, NORA, FCB, Rest Industry Super, Shop for Shops and MasterCard
Major media partner: Inside Retail
Media partners: SmartCompany, Retail Biz and Crowther Blayne

Since 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body representing Australia’s $265 billion retail sector, which employs over 1.2 million people. The ARA ensures retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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Inquiry into circumvention of anti-dumping laws

The House of Representatives Agriculture and Industry Committee will conduct a public hearing tomorrow, Thursday, 26 March 2015, for the inquiry into circumvention of anti-dumping laws.

Appearing at the hearing for the inquiry will be representatives from the Anti-Dumping Commission and the Department of Industry.

The hearing will be held in Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra:
Thursday, 26 March 2015
12.15 pm Anti-Dumping Commission & Department of Industry
1.30 pm Close

The public hearing will be webcast live at: http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

Further details about the inquiry, including submissions received and the terms of reference, can be obtained from the Committee’s website at: www.aph.gov.au/agind

For further information please contact the secretariat on (02) 6277 4500, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Encouraging employment in the small business sector

BARRIERS to employment for private sector small businesses, including government laws and regulations, excessive red tape and compliance costs, will be investigated in a new inquiry commenced today by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Education and Employment.

The committee will also consider why particular groups—young job seekers, mature age Australians, those in regional areas and those with a partial work capacity—may be discouraged or prevented from working for small businesses, and how these barriers can be overcome. 

Committee Chair, Ewen Jones, said that reducing red tape and other inhibitors to employment can have a positive effect on the nation’s productivity and increase employment opportunities, which is critical for those who are at a disadvantage in today’s job market.

“Reducing the rate of unemployment is high on this government’s agenda. Identifying the challenges that exist for employment in small business and the best way to meet these challenges will be another step forward in providing jobs and job security.

“The committee expects to receive compelling evidence on these crucial issues,” Mr Jones said.

Submissions to this inquiry are welcome. For further information, including the full terms of reference and how to prepare a submission, please visit the committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/SmallBusinessEmployment or contact the secretariat on (02) 6277 4573.

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Australian industry opportunity to provide high-value convenience foods to the Middle East

The Department of Industry and Science will outline its role in supporting Australian trade with countries of the Middle East at a public hearing in Canberra today.

In its submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade inquiry into trade and investment with the Middle East, the Department highlighted the importance of developing new export markets in the Middle East as a driver of growth for the Australian food industry.

As more Middle Eastern people look to shop at supermarkets, the Department sees opportunities for Australian food processors to provide high-value convenience foods, including ready-to-eat, chilled, canned, preserved, frozen and baked foodstuffs. The growth in supermarkets and Western-style restaurants, especially in the Gulf States, is also pushing demand for premium cuts of beef and lamb from Australia.

According to the Department, Australian food processing is at its most competitive against other international exporters in markets where Middle East consumers are willing to pay a premium for quality Australian-grown food. With more than 350 million people to feed, future food security, including meeting demand for imported higher-value products that Australian food producers can provide, dominates the economic planning of Middle Eastern governments.

The Trade Sub-Committee may also explore the future role of the Australian automotive industry - in particular, its car parts export business beyond the closure of local car manufacturing in 2017. Australia exported $1.47 billion in vehicles and parts to the Middle East in 2013 and providing parts for these vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry, may be important for an Australian car parts industry in transition. 

Public hearing
Date/Time  Wednesday 25 March 2015, 11:05 am
Location  Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
Organisations Department of Industry and Science

Live audio broadcast will be available at www.aph.gov.au/live

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