ATO job cuts risk tax delays

THE Australian Taxation Office is being inundated by phone calls from taxpayers asking how much relief they can expect after the federal parliament passed personal income tax cut laws this week.

But public sector union CPSU says the situation is not being helped by job cuts in the department.

More than 6500 jobs having been cut from the ATO in the past few years, warning taxpayers expecting returns may face delays due to understaffing.

The CPSU deputy national president Brooke MuscatBentley says people are paying more attention than ever to their tax returns.

“Members are telling us the calls they are able to answer start with complaints about wait times and people imploring for more staff to be hired,” she said in a statement yesterday.

She said the artificial staffing cap placed on the ATO is failing taxpayers.

“A good government would lift the cap and hire more skilled staff in secure jobs, ensuring that calls get answered promptly and creating employment,” Ms Muscat-Bentley said.