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Aussies tired of ‘dodgy tax criminals’, warns ATO
The Tax Office has revealed that 250,000 tip-offs have been received about tax avoidance and dishonest behaviours since July 2019.
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The ATO has received thousands of tip-offs from businesses, customers, community members, employees, family members and friends about people who have engaged in tax avoidance.
The Tax Office said it received 250,000 tip-offs since July 2019, with more than 47,000 received in the 2023–2024 financial year.
Australians are reporting tip-offs as they understand the detriment of cheating the tax system, the ATO said.
ATO assistant commissioner Tony Goding said dodging tax results in money being taken away from essential community services.
“Australians are fed up with dodgy behaviours in the community and are stepping up to help level the playing field by tipping off the ATO,” he said.
“Tip-offs about taxpayers 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.”
Based on the number of tip-offs received from community members, the ATO estimated $16 billion in stolen taxes.
This was attributed to businesses having engaged in “cash jobs” each year.
Building and construction, cafes and restaurants, as well as hairdressing and beauty services, topped the list of industries the ATO was tipped off about during the 2023–2024 financial year.
Goding said people who will likely try to cheat their competitors and the community will likely try to cheat their customers too.
“These businesses are deliberately undercutting their competitors and gaining an unfair advantage in their industry,” Goding said.
“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.”
In the 2023–2024 financial year, NSW had the most reported tip-offs at 15,516.
This was followed by Victoria at 11,256 and Queensland at 10,629.
Goding noted that while Sydney and Melbourne had the most tip-offs, reports came from regional areas as well as capital cities.
The top regional towns for tip-offs were all in Queensland and included the towns of Mackay, Bundaberg and Caboolture.
According to the ATO, community tip-offs are a crucial source of information with almost 1,000 received every week.
During 2023–2024, 90 per cent of tip-offs received by the ATO were suitable for further investigation.
If deemed suitable for further investigation, cases were carried out by specialised teams and ATO task forces, such as the cross-agency shadow economy task force.
The ATO said in early 2024, community tip-offs helped the organisation crack down on businesses that used electronic sales suppression tools to avoid paying almost $23 million in tax.
Goding said making a tip-off is anonymous, quick, and simple.
“When we receive information through a tip-off, we cross-check the information and assess whether further action is required,” he said.
“A tip-off can provide the ATO with crucial information it needs as part of an investigation, sealing the fate of those who intentionally do the wrong thing.”
Imogen Wilson
15 October 2024
accountantsdaily.com.au
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Chris Wybenga
B.Bus, CA
Chris is the Managing Director of the Firm who established the practice in August 1994 and has been responsible for its growth and development since that time.
Chris has over 40-years experience in the Chartered Accountancy profession, predominantly spent in small to medium sized firms, advising both small business and individuals in areas such as taxation and accounting as well as business restructuring and superannuation advice.
Chris is active in the development of young accountants both in mentoring cadets at the Firm and lecturing in taxation for the CA Program for the Institute of Chartered Accountants & New Zealand.
- 1980 – Commenced employment and part time university studies
- 1985 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from University of Technology, Sydney
- 1986 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 1988 – Registered as a Registered Company Auditor
- 1994 – Established Wybenga & Partners (formerly known as Farrar & Wybenga)
Dianne Bechara
B.Bus, CA
Dianne is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the practice.
Dianne has over 30-years Chartered Accountancy experience and has significant expertise in providing advice and solutions to high-net-worth individuals and their associated entities. Dianne also has considerable knowledge in the areas of taxation, business services, superannuation, and compliance.
Dianne is active in promoting gender equality in the industry through various programs and mentoring opportunities. Dianne is also committed to the development of young accountants and donates considerable time to sharing her expertise.
- 1992 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from University of Technology, Sydney
- 1993 – Commenced employment in acounting profession
- 1996 – Commenced career with Wybenga & Partners
- 1997 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 2002 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners
Roger Potter
B.Bus, CA
Roger is responsible for the HR aspect of the Firm, cultivating the culture, and maintaining the highly social environment we pride ourselves on.
Roger has over 35-years in the Chartered Accountancy profession and significant expertise in providing advice and solutions to small businesses and high-net-worth individuals. He also has extensive experience in the areas of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds and retirement strategies.
Roger is active in the development of young accountants both in mentoring cadets at the firm and lecturing in taxation for the CA Program for the Institute of Chartered Accountants & New Zealand.
- 1985 – Commenced employment and part time university studies
- 1990 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from University of Technology, Sydney
- 1992 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 1998 – Commenced career with Wybenga & Partners
- 2002 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners
Tess Uncle
B.Sc, M.Com, CA
Tess has over 22-years experience in Chartered Firms and in this time has had a broad range of experience in superannuation, taxation, and business services. In particular, Tess has had significant experience in MYOB and assisting clients in day-to-day bookkeeping activities and periodic reporting.
Tess is responsible for the Firm’s training and development needs.
Tess is active in promoting gender equality in the industry through various programs and mentoring opportunities. Tess is also committed to the development of young accountants and donates considerable time to sharing her expertise.
- 2001 – Commenced employment with Wybenga & Partners and part-time accountancy studies
- 2004 – Graduated Masters of Commerce from the University of New South Wales
- 2005 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 2007 – Promoted to Manager at Wybenga & Partners
- 2012 – Appointed as Associate Director
- 2016 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners
Schedule a Meeting with Tess
Adam Roberts
B.Bus, B.Sc, CA
Adam has over 18-years experience in Chartered Firms and in this time has had a broad range of experience in superannuation, taxation, and business services. In particular, Adam has had significant experience in MYOB and assisting clients with periodic management reporting.
Adam is responsible for the implementation of technology in the Firm and sourcing new areas of innovation and efficiency.
Adam is active in the development of young accountants and donates considerable time to sharing his expertise.
- 2005 – Commenced employment with Wybenga & Partners and part-time Accountancy Studies
- 2005 – Graduated Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Sydney
- 2007 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from the University of Western Sydney
- 2010 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 2010 – Promoted to Manager at Wybenga & Partners
- 2012 – Appointed as Associate Director
- 2016 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners