ATO issues message to Victorian tax professionals

Commissioner of Taxation Chris Jordan has issued a message to tax professional in Victoria, noting that a range of practical support options are available to them as Melbourne-based businesses enter stage four restrictions overnight.

The ATO is offering Victorian practitioners lodgement deferrals for upcoming lodgement dates; payment only deferrals for amounts that may be due; flexible payment plans; as well as the option to change their clients’ GST reporting cycle or varying PAYG instalment amounts.

The Tax Office has also made available remissions to the general interest charge and payment arrangements for the superannuation guarantee amnesty, to ease the burden on tax agents that have had to close their doors due to Melbourne’s escalating coronavirus crisis.

“You can access many of these measures, including lodgement and payment deferrals, through Online services for agents. Our approach is tailored and empathetic, and we will work with you to ensure you get the support you need,” said Mr Jordan.

He underlined that it is still important that tax agents and their clients continue to lodge activity statements and tax returns where possible and meet as many of the upcoming obligations as they can.

“You can rest assured that we will not apply penalties for late lodgement of business activity statements that fall due during August and September,” said Mr Jordan.

“This measure will be in place until the end of September, when we will review and extend it if necessary. This is in addition to our concessional approach to significant global entity penalties announced last month.”

For more information about ATO measures and tailored support available you can visit ato.gov.au/COVID-19 or call the ATO on 1800 700 724 to discuss what help is available based on your individual circumstances.