Tax office complaints surge 74% as ATO ramps up debt collection
The Tax Ombudsman received 2,376 complaints against the ATO in six months, up 74 per cent from the same period last year.
Complaints to the Tax Ombudsman about the Australian Taxation Office have surged as the agency ramps up debt collection. The ombudsman fielded 2,376 complaints in six months to September, up 74 per cent from the same period last year and 180 per cent from two years ago.
Debt collection and payment delays each accounted for 19 per cent of complaints. Tax Ombudsman Ruth Owen said many Australians are struggling as the ATO collects debt and applies interest, often making amounts due impossible to pay back.
The ATO disputes the count, saying it only received 1,358 complaints directly; the ombudsman's figures include cases resolved without ATO involvement. The ATO was owed $54.2 billion in outstanding tax debt in 2024-25.
Small business debts amounted to $35.9 billion, an increase of $19.4 billion from 2018-19.
- 2,376
- Complaints received (6 months to Sept)
- 74 percent
- Year-on-year increase
- 180 percent
- Two-year increase
- $35.9 billion
- Small business debt
Why it mattersRising ATO debt enforcement at a time of cost-of-living stress is pushing more Australians into complaints and raising questions about the pace and fairness of collection.
AustraliaAustralian taxpayers and small businesses facing financial pressure now confront steeper ATO debt collection activity and interest charges, creating friction and record complaints.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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