ATO to face investigation

THE Inspector-General of Taxation will investigate the Australian Taxation Office’s controversial use of garnishee notices to recover debts from taxpayers.

The investigation was sparked by claims made by ATO whistleblowers who said the ATO used unethical tactics to claim money back from small businesses and individuals so they could meet revenue targets during the 2016/17 financial year. One whistleblower alleged some ATO staff were ordered to use garnishee notices that allow the ATO to seize money from taxpayers’ bank accounts without taking personal circumstances into account.