Michael D’Ascenzo is widely recognised in Australia and globally for his expertise in taxation and superannuation and his demonstrated ability as a leader and innovator. He has been Commissioner of Taxation since 1 January 2006.
Since becoming Commissioner, he has championed corporate values that put taxpayers and the community at the centre of ATO thinking, with a view to reducing compliance costs and building community trust and confidence.
Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Michael held the positions of Second Commissioner (Law) and Chief Tax Counsel concurrently, overseeing law interpretation, corporate planning, finance and governance.
His skills and personal qualities saw him senior executive positions with the ATO since 1985, having started as a graduate in 1977. During his career he has pioneered advances in administration including improvements to Australia’s self assessment system making the tax system fairer and more certain.
Michael’s expertise is also in demand overseas. He has worked with the International Monetary Fund advising the Sultanate of Oman on its tax system and administration; he is involved in the work of the Study Group on Asian Tax Administration and Research, for which he was Secretary General in 2005; and he is an influential member of the OECD’s Forum on Tax Administration.
Michael is a prolific writer in tax and governance and has been a member of various public and private sector committees, such as the Board of Tax. Many of these committees are associated with tax studies and research. In 2005 Michael was recognised as a Distinguished Alumni by the ANU and, in 2008, was awarded the 2008 Hill ATTA Medal by the Australasian Tax Teachers Association for his contribution to Australasian tax teaching and policy.
Michael holds degrees in economics and law from the Australian National University and is also a graduate of Harvard Business School. He is also admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of the ACT.
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