How To Avoid Trouble With The ATO

Natasha Hawker: What’s your view of the ATO now? You were pretty impressed with them when we spoke last time – how do you think they’ve managed this?

Ben Walker: Overall, I’m fairly impressed. I wouldn’t say 10 out of 10 – they still get things wrong. We use their system quite frequently during the week, and sometimes you can’t log on because something’s bloody broken, or there’s been hiccups here or there. As a business owner, I feel like I shouldn’t have to pay a team who can’t completely work because of that. 

But at the end of the day, everyone’s been under pressure, right? And we also haven’t been perfect; throughout this whole time, it’s been intense, but they’ve done a great job considering the circumstances. I still think they are quite lucky – If you’re in quite a bit of pickle with debt or that sort of thing, they are understanding. As always with the ATO, as long as you’re communicating with them, they’re fine.

Natasha Hawker:  I think that’s really important advice because I think, often, people tend to want to put their heads in the sand, and that’s the worst thing they can do. If they face up and say, “This is my position. This is where we’re at. What can we do?” they’re generally pretty approachable and they’re accommodating.

Ben Walker: Yeah, absolutely!

Listen to the full episode of this podcast with HR guru @NatashaHawker at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ben-walker-talks-about-accounting-and-his-journey/id1507070881?i=1000510718910