The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) received 250,000 tip-offs about tax avoidance and other illegal behaviours since July 1, 2019 and is encouraging Victorians to continue reporting these offences.
More than 47,000 of these tip-offs were reported in the 2023–24 financial year.
The Australian community understands that cheating tax is not on, rather it is stealing money needed for essential community services we all rely on.
ATO assistant commissioner Tony Goding said that Australians are “fed up” with these behaviours and are assisting the ATO through anonymously reporting offences.
“These businesses are deliberately undercutting their competitors and gaining an unfair advantage in their industry,” Mr Goding said.
Offences reported to the ATO included not declaring income, demanding cash from customers, paying workers in cash to avoid paying tax and super, not reporting sales, and where someone’s lifestyle doesn’t appear to match their income.
The ATO estimates that there is around $16 billion in stolen taxes each year through these offences.
Building and construction, cafes and restaurants, and hairdressing and beauty services were the industries that the ATO received the most tip-offs about in 2023–24.
15,516 tip-offs were received from New South Wales residents in 2023–24, followed closely by Victorians (11,256 tip-offs) and Queenslanders (10,629 tip-offs).
“The number of reports we have received tells us that Aussies have had enough. Dodging your tax obligations clearly no longer passes the ‘pub test’. We’re receiving tip-offs from other businesses, customers, members of the community, employees, and even family and friends,” Mr Goding said.
‘Community tip-offs are one of our best sources of information when it comes to tackling the shadow economy,’ he said.
Approximately 90% of tip-offs analysed by the ATO in 2023–24 were deemed as being suitable for further investigation.
To find out how to report suspected tax evasion or shadow economy activity, visit the ATO website.
Details: www.ato.gov.au/tipoff
