The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) welcomes the release of the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman’s report into the ATO’s identification and management of financial abuse within the tax system.
Financial abuse is a serious issue which can have significant impacts for victims.
The ATO has an important role in supporting taxpayers impacted by financial abuse, whilst ensuring the continued integrity of the tax system.
We agree with all recommendations provided in the Tax Ombudsman’s report, and value the perspectives of those who contributed to the report, including the lived experience of victim survivors.
The Tax Ombudsman’s findings help us to increase our understanding of community expectations and real-life experiences, so we can better support taxpayers impacted by financial abuse.
Several of the report’s recommendations build on work already underway in the ATO to support vulnerable clients.
The ATO’s Vulnerability Capability is strengthening and coordinating the way we support people experiencing vulnerability. This includes the development of a framework and specific actions and to support people experiencing vulnerability, including financial abuse.
The ATO welcomes insights on how to further strengthen and coordinate support for taxpayers that have experienced financial abuse, including considering improvements to our existing procedures in place to support these taxpayers.
We recognise the Tax Ombudsman’s findings in relation to the ATO’s role ensuring the integrity of the tax system and in holding perpetrators of financial abuse to account within our existing powers.
We commit to further engagement and consultation with other government agencies and community groups and leveraging existing support and programs to address financial abuse within the tax system.
Contact details:
mediaunit@ato.gov.au | 02 6216 1901
