ATO turning up the heat on tax cheats

Tax commissioner Chris Jordan has had enough of companies gaming the system in their efforts to avoid paying taxes.

Tax commissioner Chris Jordan is turning up the heat on companies trying to avoid paying taxes by "gaming the system" through delay and obstruction.

Mr Jordan said the companies had pushed the envelope beyond reasonableness, forcing the ATO to draw a line under protracted negotiations, which may result in court action.

"Enough is enough ... how is it possible that companies known for their new-age technology and innovative products and services fail to be able to furnish us with basic reports," he told a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday.

Mr Jordan was taking aim at 26 companies being reviewed under the new multinational anti-avoidance laws.

Some of these were foreign companies that argued they had no tax liability in Australia.

These companies were given 90 days notice to produce necessary documentation to back their claims, only then to make a variety excuses for a further delay.

"It's just gone over the top," Mr Jordan said.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world