ATO rebuked by tax watchdog for using debt collectors on people ‘doing the right thing’

By Jonathan Barrett Business editor · The Guardian World

Inspector general of taxation and ombudsman, Ruth Owen, says she is receiving an ‘increasing number’ of complaints about tax office Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The ATO must be considerate of a person’s circumstances, Australia’s inspector-general of taxation has warned, after a spike in complaints over a third-party collector used to chase tax debts. On Monday, Guardian Australia reported that the ATO had referred more than 355,000 taxpayers , including welfare recipients, to the private equity-backed debt collector, Recoveriescorp, since January 2024. Do you know more? Email jonathan.barrett@theguardian.com Continue reading...