Yes. From 1 May 2015, the IGTO is able to assist you to address your complaints about the administrative actions of the ATO.

After you make a complaint, an adviser from the IGTO's office will contact you within two (2) business days to discuss your complaint. If we require further information from you, we will ask you during that discussion.

If we can assist you without contacting the ATO or the TPB, we will do so. However, we may need to contact the ATO or the TPB to obtain more information regarding your complaint and to determine how we can best assist you. We will keep you updated regarding our progress.

If you do not hear from us, please contact 1300 44 88 29 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm Sydney time, and quote your complaint lodgement number with us and one of our advisers will be able to assist you.

The IGTO can help you to address complaints about administrative actions (or inaction) of the ATO or the TPB. 'Administrative action' is a broad term. It generally covers the fairness and reasonableness of the ATO and TPB's approach in dealings or interactions with you.

Examples of dealings or interactions the IGTO can assist you with include:

The IGTO can get involved to assist you to address a complaint at any stage during your dispute with the ATO or the TPB.

It is often better to first raise any concerns you have during the dispute with the officer you are dealing with or their manager at the ATO or the TPB. If this does not satisfactorily address your concerns, you may approach the complaints section of the ATO or the TPB.

Where these do not satisfactorily address your concerns, you can make a complaint with the IGTO. The IGTO may intervene to assist you to address any concerns that arise in the course of your dealings with the ATO or the TPB.

The IGTO may assist you to address any concerns you may have in relation to the conduct of the ATO or the TPB when litigating matters.

However, the IGTO cannot provide you with legal advice in relation to litigation matters. You may wish to consider seeking independent legal advice if your matter is being litigated.

No. The ATO is responsible for ensuring that taxpayers pay the right amount of tax.

If you believe that the amount raised is incorrect, you may challenge the decision. This may be done by way of an objection.

Information on how to object is available on the ATO's website.

If you are not happy with the objection decision, you may apply for review to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal or the Federal Court of Australia.

You may wish to consider seeking legal or tax advice if you need help in these matters.

The IGTO may assist taxpayers to ensure that the audit is fair and transparent. Where appropriate, the IGTO may provide advice on how the taxpayer may approach the ATO to address their concerns. In some cases, the IGTO may also recommend changes the ATO may make to the audit approach to achieve fair and transparent outcomes.

However, the IGTO is not empowered to make decisions as to whether an audit should be commenced or continued and what issues should be audited.

No. The TPB has responsibility for dealing with complaints against all registered tax agents and business activity statement (BAS) agents in Australia. Details on how you can lodge a complaint against your tax agent are available on the Tax Practitioners Board's website.

If you are not happy with the way in which the TPB has handled your approach, you can make a complaint with the IGTO.

No. The TPB is responsible for registering tax agents and BAS agents. If you are not happy with the TPB's decision, you can apply for it to be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Further information is available on the Tax Practitioners Board's website.

No. The IGTO cannot assist you to address any complaints in relation to the AAT or any other courts or tribunals.

If you need information about your tax affairs, you should contact the ATO.

Alternatively, you may wish to consider seeking advice from a registered tax agent.

If you are not satisfied with a decision we have made in respect of your complaint, please review the information contained in the following document for your options.

The IGTO values the privacy of our stakeholders and manages all confidential information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. Our privacy policy is available from the footer of this website.

If you have any concerns regarding the ways in which we have handled your information, you may lodge your complaint at privacy@igt.gov.au.

In most cases, the adviser who responds to your call will be able to address your concerns directly. If they are unable to assist, you may request to speak with a manager.

IGTO service and conduct expectations policy [PDF 23KB]