Review of ATO letters and written communications

Please click here to view the Submission 'Review of ATO letters and written communications'.

Overview of the Submission:

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in relation to the IGTO’s Review of ATO letters and written communications.

From the feedback we have received, we note the following key issues:

• There have been instances where taxpayers have received written communications as well as their tax agent.
• The ATO needs to improve their review procedures before communications are issued to ensure that taxpayers and their tax agents do not receive correspondence in error.
• Clearer wording as to the purpose of a communication may be necessary.
• Lack of a contact person noted in the correspondence means that practitioners find it difficult to discuss the issue with an ATO officer who has expert knowledge about the issue.