Since launching its new Tax Integrity Centre (TIC) in July last year, the ATO has now received 27,000 tip-offs, with a record-breaking 15,000 tip-offs received in the first quarter of operation.
The top categories of tip-offs were about concerns of businesses not declaring income, businesses demanding cash from customers, someone’s lifestyle not appearing to match their income level, not reporting sales and employers avoiding reporting correct wages.
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“If you or your clients know or suspect a business is taking part in phoenix, tax evasion or black economy activities, or feel something is going on that isn’t quite right, make a tip-off to our Tax Integrity Centre,” the ATO said in an online update.
“Your tip-offs can provide us the vital intelligence we need to audit or prosecute those illegally operating in the black economy.”
Separately, the ATO has also put a call-out for people to come forward with more information on its ongoing investigations into an offshore tax evasion scheme.
Last week, the ATO, as part of the J5 tax enforcement group, initiated investigations into an unnamed financial institution located in Central America suspected of facilitating money laundering and tax evasion for a global customer base using a range of products and services.
The ATO suspects that several hundreds of Australians are participating in these activities and is currently working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) in its investigations.
The agency is calling on anyone with information about this, or any similar arrangements, to contact the ATO.