The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has revealed it received a record-breaking 15,000 tip-offs to its Tax Integrity Centre in the first quarter of this financial year as the agency continues its focus on the black economy.
The top categories of tip-offs the ATO has received so far this year have been about:
> Not declaring income
> Demanding cash from customers and/or paying workers “cash in hand”
> Someone’s lifestyle does not appear to match their income level
> Not reporting sales.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Holt said the results are not surprising.
“We’re hearing loud and clear that people are sick and tired of this kind of dodgy behaviour. Running a small business can be a really tough gig, and when dishonest competitors are cheating the tax system by operating off the books, it’s really unfair and makes it even harder to succeed. It’s also effectively stealing from the community.”
“So it’s hardly surprising that so many people have tipped us off about this kind of behaviour so we can investigate and keep things fair for everyone,” Mr Holt said.
ATO figures show that cafés and restaurants top the list in terms of the total number of tip-offs received in the first quarter this year.
“Trading in cash and paying your workers in cash is perfectly legal but failing to report the income to the ATO and not paying your workers their entitlements like superannuation is not only illegal but also incredibly unfair.”
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