Great article and I have had these exact conversations with my accountant. It feels like they are coming after us hard and she said that is the ATO commissioner's strategy right now. I'd love to know, how do we speak up and who is even listening to us?
I agree with this so deeply, Amanda. I have two small businesses - one in construction, one in consulting - and the shear cost of running a construction based small business is eyewatering. (I've paid $500k in BAS and PAYG last financial year and $50K in WorkCover annually for 12 staff)
I have clients who are in hundreds of thousands of dollars debt with the ATO and have no support or education about how to navigate that, as they cannot afford the expert guidance from an accountant.
Where is the responsibility of the ATO to educate/have an education gate before people apply for an ABN/ACN? Having a 'business education' webpage that's not promoted and holds an overwhelming amount of information isn't something that would release my duty of care/responsibility of the outcome, in either of my businesses, so why is it ok for the ATO/Government?
You’re exactly right. It’s a disgrace and from what I am hearing it looks to be a deliberate attack on the small biz sector with a focus on the construction small businesses which makes me very suspicious as to why??
Great piece Amanda. This Federal government is one of the most anti-small-business governments Australia has seen for decades. It's not just the AMOUNT of tax - it's the huge amount of time that small business owners need to take away from their businesses and their families to deal with the endless forms and checklists and lodgements. Australia never used to be like this, and doesn't need to be like this.
I broke my leg and was off for 9 months in 2023. As a result have been playing catchup. My ATO debt had built up to over $100k. When I tried to make an arrangement to pay it off, they said they wanted 50% upfront or no deal. When I told the lady I could not do that, she said the matter was being"escalated".
Six week later, my company was wound up, and the company's bank account was deleted.
My arrangement would have paid the debt in 12 months. Instead they destroyed my company and 6 people lost their jobs, all of whom had families.
Great article and I have had these exact conversations with my accountant. It feels like they are coming after us hard and she said that is the ATO commissioner's strategy right now. I'd love to know, how do we speak up and who is even listening to us?
I will write a dedicated article next week on who to contact and what to ask/say etc - we need to activate the missing middle in Australia.
Agree with your article Amanda wholeheartedly!
Thank you!
I agree with this so deeply, Amanda. I have two small businesses - one in construction, one in consulting - and the shear cost of running a construction based small business is eyewatering. (I've paid $500k in BAS and PAYG last financial year and $50K in WorkCover annually for 12 staff)
I have clients who are in hundreds of thousands of dollars debt with the ATO and have no support or education about how to navigate that, as they cannot afford the expert guidance from an accountant.
Where is the responsibility of the ATO to educate/have an education gate before people apply for an ABN/ACN? Having a 'business education' webpage that's not promoted and holds an overwhelming amount of information isn't something that would release my duty of care/responsibility of the outcome, in either of my businesses, so why is it ok for the ATO/Government?
You’re exactly right. It’s a disgrace and from what I am hearing it looks to be a deliberate attack on the small biz sector with a focus on the construction small businesses which makes me very suspicious as to why??
Great piece Amanda. This Federal government is one of the most anti-small-business governments Australia has seen for decades. It's not just the AMOUNT of tax - it's the huge amount of time that small business owners need to take away from their businesses and their families to deal with the endless forms and checklists and lodgements. Australia never used to be like this, and doesn't need to be like this.
We need change and associations that have a spine who are willing to stand up for the small business sector.
Thanks Amanda,
I can relate big time.
I ran a small building company, in Sydney.
I broke my leg and was off for 9 months in 2023. As a result have been playing catchup. My ATO debt had built up to over $100k. When I tried to make an arrangement to pay it off, they said they wanted 50% upfront or no deal. When I told the lady I could not do that, she said the matter was being"escalated".
Six week later, my company was wound up, and the company's bank account was deleted.
My arrangement would have paid the debt in 12 months. Instead they destroyed my company and 6 people lost their jobs, all of whom had families.
Just so devastating. And unnecessary.
This is an absolute disgrace. So sorry you went through this. Our govt has alot to answer for here.