Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream.

Thanks for logging in.

You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream.

LISTEN
Watch
on air now

Create a 2GB account today!

You can now log in once to listen live, watch live, join competitions, enjoy exclusive 2GB content and other benefits.


Joining is free and easy.

You will soon need to register to keep streaming 2GB online. Register an account or skip for now to do it later.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Garnishee notices aren’t ‘the appropriate action for the ATO to take’, says Ombudsman

Article image for Garnishee notices aren’t ‘the appropriate action for the ATO to take’, says Ombudsman

The small business Ombudsman says the use of garnishee notices by the Australian Taxation Office is a concern, despite a review by the inspector-general of tax.

A joint Fairfax-ABC investigation alleged the ATO was taking harsh actions against small businesses, by using performance indicators to incentivise the issuing of garnishee notices.

Inspector-general of tax Andrew McLoughlin’s review into these allegations found no evidence of this.

Garnishee notices are when the ATO takes money out of a business’ bank account to collect outstanding debt.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell tells Ross Greenwood “they can put you out of business with an order and that’s our concern.”

“The dilemma we’ve got with this is that we see situations where the ATO may not have been in touch quite as often as they should of.

“But the decision, to what is close down the business in many circumstances, isn’t the appropriate action for the ATO to take.

“I’m fascinated that the ATO can do this without any oversight, by say a court order.”

Click PLAY to listen to the full interview

Deborah Knight
Advertisement