We Can Help
What we can do
We believe in the fair, accountable and improved administration and integrity of the taxation and superannuation systems for the benefit of the Australian community. We have limited direct access to ATO and TPB officers, records and systems to investigate actions and decisions of the ATO and TPB and can determine whether they are lawful and fair. If they are, we can provide independent assurance. If they are not, we can make recommendation for rectification action.
Where you have an unresolved complaint or ‘dispute’ with the ATO or TPB, we can help. Independent investigation of the actions and decisions that are the subject of your dispute can, for example:
- help you better understand the actions taken, or decisions made by the ATO or the TPB;
- independently verify whether there is a shortcoming in the ATO or TPB’s action or decision that should be rectified; or
- identify other options you may have to resolve your concerns and the agencies that can help you.
What our outcomes can look like
Some of our dispute investigation outcomes include the following:
- the ATO or TPB reversing or reconsidering a decision as a result of the IGTO investigation providing clarification of facts;
- the ATO or TPB changing or updating their policies, procedures, or systems as a result of the IGTO investigation recommending areas of improvement;
- the IGTO’s independent assurance that the ATO or TPB’s actions or decisions were lawful and fair as a result of the IGTO investigation verifying the basis and process for those actions and decisions;
- the IGTO, ATO or TPB providing a more understandable explanation; and
- the ATO or TPB providing an apology as a result of the IGTO investigation identifying that a mistake had occurred in the ATO or TPB’s administration that had not been previously acknowledged.
What we cannot do
We cannot:
- compel the ATO or TPB to comply with our recommendations or change their decision;
- decide how much tax you should pay;
- investigate the legislation imposing tax liabilities or the quantification of those liabilities;
- investigate the ATO workplace relations issues;
- investigate the ATO’s handling of Freedom of Information requests, Public Interest Disclosures or the non-tax elements of cross-agency complaints that involve the ATO;
- provide you with advice about how to structure your tax affairs; and
- assist you with decisions made by other government agencies.
Even if we can’t resolve your issue, we work cooperatively with other agencies and service providers and can help you identify who can best help you.
If you have a question, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us.
What we can do
We believe in the fair, accountable and improved administration and integrity of the taxation and superannuation systems for the benefit of the Australian community. We have limited direct access to ATO and TPB officers, records and systems to investigate actions and decisions of the ATO and TPB and can determine whether they are lawful and fair. If they are, we can provide independent assurance. If they are not, we can make recommendation for rectification action.
Where you have an unresolved complaint or ‘dispute’ with the ATO or TPB, we can help. Independent investigation of the actions and decisions that are the subject of your dispute can, for example:
- help you better understand the actions taken, or decisions made by the ATO or the TPB;
- independently verify whether there is a shortcoming in the ATO or TPB’s action or decision that should be rectified; or
- identify other options you may have to resolve your concerns and the agencies that can help you.
What our outcomes can look like
Some of our dispute investigation outcomes include the following:
- the ATO or TPB reversing or reconsidering a decision as a result of the IGTO investigation providing clarification of facts;
- the ATO or TPB changing or updating their policies, procedures, or systems as a result of the IGTO investigation recommending areas of improvement;
- the IGTO’s independent assurance that the ATO or TPB’s actions or decisions were lawful and fair as a result of the IGTO investigation verifying the basis and process for those actions and decisions;
- the IGTO, ATO or TPB providing a more understandable explanation; and
- the ATO or TPB providing an apology as a result of the IGTO investigation identifying that a mistake had occurred in the ATO or TPB’s administration that had not been previously acknowledged.
What we cannot do
We cannot:
- compel the ATO or TPB to comply with our recommendations or change their decision;
- decide how much tax you should pay;
- investigate the legislation imposing tax liabilities or the quantification of those liabilities;
- investigate the ATO workplace relations issues;
- investigate the ATO’s handling of Freedom of Information requests, Public Interest Disclosures or the non-tax elements of cross-agency complaints that involve the ATO;
- provide you with advice about how to structure your tax affairs; and
- assist you with decisions made by other government agencies.
Even if we can’t resolve your issue, we work cooperatively with other agencies and service providers and can help you identify who can best help you.
If you have a question, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us.