ATO security safeguards for victims of fraud recently enhanced
Enhanced Security Measures for Victims of Identity and Tax Fraud Taxpayers affected by fraud can now set up Strong online access for easier, secure use of ATO services—learn how to protect your account long-term Where a taxpayer has been the victim of identity, tax or super fraud, the ATO may apply security safeguards to their […]
Government warns of ‘malicious’ myGov scammers
Stay Alert to Protect Your ATO Log-In Details from Scammers Government Warns of Rising Tax Fraud via Fake myGov Sites and Urges Vigilance The Government has urged Australians to be vigilant regarding scammers who target ATO log-in details to commit tax fraud. The ATO has received a large number of reports of scammers using fake […]
Illegal early access to super
Beware of Illegal Early Super Access Schemes ATO Warns Against Promoters Exploiting Super Funds for Non-Retirement Purposes Faced with tough times, some people may be thinking about accessing their super early. Taxpayers may have been approached by someone (a ‘promoter’) claiming that members of super funds can withdraw their super or use an SMSF to […]
ATO issues warning about false invoicing arrangements
SFCT Alert: Beware of Illegal Financial Schemes Businesses Warned Against False Invoicing Tactics to Evade Taxes and Super Obligations The Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (‘SFCT’) is warning businesses about using illegal financial arrangements such as ‘false invoicing’ to cheat the tax and super systems. False invoicing arrangements may consist of the following: an entity (the […]
Notice of visa data-matching program
ATO’s Enhanced Data Collection for Visa Holders The 2024-2026 Visa Data Acquisition Program in Detail The ATO will acquire visa data from the Department of Home Affairs for the 2024 to 2026 income years, including the following: address history and contact history for visa applicants, sponsors, and migration agents; active visas meeting the relevant criteria, […]
Proper Cybersecurity Vigilance
ATO says “Be cyber-wise, don’t compromise” Four Essential Steps to Safeguard Your Digital World Throughout the 2022 income year, one cybercrime was reported every seven minutes. The ATO encourages taxpayers to implement the following four quick steps to protect themselves. Step 1: Install updates for your devices and software Regular updates ensure taxpayers have the […]
Feds crack down on tax fraud
ATO and AFP crackdown on GST-fraud promoters A raft of enforcement activity has been undertaken across the country by the ATO-led Serious Financial Crime Taskforce, including the execution of search warrants and issuing of warning letters. At 31 December 2022, the ATO took compliance action on more than 53,000 clients and stopped approximately $2.5 billion […]
Director ID regime
Preparing for the new Director ID regime As part of its Digital Business Plan, the Government announced the full implementation of the ‘Modernising Business Registers’ program. This included recently enacted legislation introducing the new director identification number (‘director ID’) regime. The director ID is a unique identifier that a director will need to apply for […]
JobKeeper fraud criminal conviction
First criminal conviction for JobKeeper fraud A person claiming to be a sole trader was convicted of three counts of making a false and misleading statement to the Commissioner of Taxation, in order to receive $6,000 in JobKeeper payments to which he was not entitled. He was not operating a genuine business and he had […]
Warning regarding new illegal retirement planning scheme
The ATO recently identified a new illegal retirement planning scheme SMSF trustees were informed that they could set up a new SMSF to roll-over the fund balance from the old SMSF and then liquidate their old SMSF, in an attempt to avoid paying potential tax liabilities. The ATO warns that taking part in this arrangement […]
