ATO Penalty Units increase to $180
From 31 July 2015, Commonwealth penalty units will increase from $170 to $180. The uniform penalty provisions consist of penalties for:
- statements, unarguable positions and schemes
- false or misleading statement penalty – shortfall amount
- false or misleading statement penalty – no shortfall amount
- penalty for taking a tax position that is not reasonably arguable
- penalty for failing to make a statement
- failing to lodge documents on time
- failing to withhold amounts as required under the pay as you go (PAYG) withholding system penalties for failing to meet other tax obligations
- other miscellaneous penalties.
Notification of a penalty
If your client is liable to pay a penalty, ATO will issue written notification of the penalty amount and the due date for payment of the penalty (which will be at least 14 days after the notice is given). ATO will also provide a written explanation of why the penalty applies.
Remission of penalties
Your client may object in writing against either:
- a penalty assessment for statements or unarguable positions
- a remission decision if the amount of the penalty remaining after the decision is more than two penalty units.
- It may NOT be the ATO Calling!
The ATO are continuing to work on shutting down a large number of scam operations pretending to be the Tax Office. Be it emails, phone calls, faxes or SMS that are stealing your bank details. The ATO website gives numerous examples of recent cases here.
What to Do
If in doubt then:
- Find out who they think they are ringing.
- Obtain the ATO reference number for the call or the incident (Chances are they will have hung up by now)
- Ring the ATO on 13 28 61 from 8.00am–6.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.
- Quote the reference number
Threats from the operator etc about delaying will cause you to be shut down or penalties, are not ATO policy or behaviour and should highlight that you are dealing with a scam. If in doubt do not provide them with any information. Ring the ATO back.
