How to lodge your ATO credit reporting complaint with us

When you contact us

We strongly encourage you to lodge your complaint online as this is in writing and the quickest way to raise your concerns with us and for us to prioritise your complaint. By using our online complaint webform, you will be able to advise us that your complaint relates to the ATO’s intention to report your tax debt information to credit reporting bureaus. You will also be able to attach the letter you received from the ATO along with any other documents you wish to provide us. We will then prioritise your complaint as demonstrating urgent circumstances. If you do not provide us with the letter you received from the ATO it may add unhelpful delays and prevent us from identifying your complaint is an ATO credit reporting complaint. This could result in your tax debt information being reported to credit reporting bureaus by the ATO.

Please have the following ready:

• the letter you received from the ATO titled, “Act now or your tax debt will be reported to credit reporting bureaus” (example ATO credit reporting letter);
• your Tax File Number (TFN) or Australian Business Number (ABN);
• your personal details (for example – your name and contact details);
• an explanation the ATO actions have caused you concern and how those actions have impacted you;
• the main facts, relevant dates and any other supporting documents;
• where you are at now – the result to date; and
• the outcome you want from your complaint.

If you are lodging this complaint on behalf of another person, we will need to confirm that you are authorised by that other person to discuss their affairs. We have prepared a standard authorisation form which may be accessed through the Complaint Form. You don’t need to be a registered tax agent to be a representative – provided you are authorised by that other person to assist them.

Important things to note

We have set out below some important matters to note in relation to the ATO’s disclosure of business tax debts and any complaint that you lodge with us about this issue:

• The IGTO does not play a role in selecting taxpayers for possible disclosure, nor does the IGTO independently review the ATO’s selection process;
• Any investigation by the IGTO of a taxpayer’s tax debt complaint will stay the disclosure of the taxpayer’s debts but only for the duration of the investigation;
• The IGTO, like all other Ombudsmen, cannot compel the ATO to take a particular course of action, although we may issue findings and recommendations following our investigation; and
• Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to disclose a taxpayer’s debt to a credit reporting bureau will be made by the Commissioner of Taxation (or his authorised officers).

The best measure to prevent the ATO from disclosing a taxpayer’s business tax debts is to continue to effectively engage with the ATO to address the outstanding debt. The IGTO is available to assist taxpayers where they are experiencing difficulties engaging with the ATO for this purpose.

Service and Conduct Expectations

We expect our team to be professional, courteous and respectful at all times and we ask that taxpayers and tax professionals who engage with our office to afford them the same courtesy. Our Service and conduct expectations guidelines outline our service commitments and what we expect from you.