Community joins fight against tax cheats
Assistant Commissioner Peter Holt said the visits are part of the agency’s work to tackle the black economy and protect honest businesses from unfair competition.
“We’ve seen a spike in tip-offs about businesses in Bankstown paying their workers in cash and not withholding tax or paying super. This is simply not on and it’s not fair for those honest businesses who are doing the right thing as well as the employees who are missing out on their super,” Mr Holt said.
The ATO has also received intelligence that some Bankstown businesses have refused to provide tax invoices for sales, are under-reporting income, and not reporting sales to the ATO.
“Certain industries are on our radar in Bankstown, including cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services, transport businesses, building completion businesses, delivery businesses, and businesses providing cleaning, pest control and gardening services.”
Businesses who are not declaring income, not complying with their tax and super obligations or underpaying workers are contributing to the black economy.
“This is money that the community is missing out on for vital public services like hospitals, roads, welfare, and schools,” Mr Holt said.
“There are significant numbers of businesses in Bankstown with more than two years of overdue income tax returns as well as large numbers of business activity statements outstanding, which is a concern to us.”
