ATO Insights
Clear, practical guides to help you understand an ATO letter, protect important deadlines and make a more informed decision about what to do next.
Start with the issue in front of you
Each guide explains the process, the records that may matter and where formal rights or deadlines can arise.
I've Received a Letter From the ATO. What Should I Do?
Do not ignore the letter or reply in a rush. Verify it, identify the issue and deadline, then assemble the records behind a careful response.
Read guide ATO objectionsHow to Object to an ATO Decision
Check the decision and deadline, prepare your grounds and evidence, then lodge through the ATO’s current process. A dispute does not automatically pause the debt.
Read guide Penalties and interestATO Penalties Explained: 25%, 50% and 75%
Shortfall penalties reflect how the ATO characterises conduct. Interest is different, and disputing a penalty is different again from asking for remission.
Read guide ATO data matchingWhat the ATO Already Knows About You
The ATO compares returns with information from third parties. A mismatch is not necessarily a finding, but it should be reconciled before you respond.
Read guide ATO reviews and auditsATO Review vs Audit: What Is the Difference?
A review tests whether an identified risk needs further action. An audit is a more detailed examination of an identified issue. Progression is possible, not automatic.
Read guide Tax debt and payment plansATO Tax Debt and Payment Plans: What to Check First
A workable payment plan starts with the correct balance, current lodgments and a cash-flow figure you can actually maintain.
Read guide Director penalty noticesReceived a Director Penalty Notice? What to Do
A Director Penalty Notice is urgent. The liabilities, reporting history and date the notice was given can change the available response.
Read guide GST disputesATO GST Dispute: Audit, Assessment and Objection
A GST dispute can begin during an audit or after an assessment. The document you have determines which response path and deadline to check.
Read guideStart with a practical initial assessment
Tell us what happened and provide the key ATO correspondence before committing to a larger professional fee.