✓ SmartcompanyPower & Policy

Director penalty notices surge 136% prompting fairness review

The tax ombud will probe whether the ATO fairly applies Director Penalty Notices. More than 84,000 were issued in 2024-25, up 136% from the previous year.

Why it mattersDirectors face personal financial ruin for company debts they may not control or understand. The probe will examine whether the ATO applies the tool fairly.

AustraliaEvery Australian company director is at risk. If this probe finds the ATO is unfair, the way DPNs are issued may change, protecting directors but potentially weakening tax collection.

✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago