Warning: This information may not apply to the current year. Check the content carefully to ensure it is applicable to your circumstances.
We expect around 80% of individuals to receive a refund or have a nil balance on assessment. The remainder would normally be required to pay after their annual income tax assessment is issued or when they lodge and pay activity statements.
Individuals who have a tax debt and fail to pay may include those:
- whose lodgment date is well before the payment date
- who earn investment income throughout the year but cannot pay their liabilities when they fall due, or
- who have to make compulsory Higher Education Contribution Scheme repayments.
Individuals account for around 30% of our debt cases. This represents around 16% of outstanding debt.
Where taxpayers fail to pay their tax by the due date, we send them reminder or demand letters or phone them to obtain the outstanding amount. Where taxpayers have difficulty in paying, they can arrange to pay by instalments. If they fail to come to an arrangement with us or to comply with arrangements, we will take firmer action to recover the amounts due. This may include issuing garnishee notices or starting bankruptcy proceedings.
Along with these strategies, we are also giving taxpayers the opportunity to pay their pre-30 June 2004 outstanding tax debts on favourable terms. This offer includes reduced interest rates and flexible payment options.
If taxpayers fail to respond to these initial approaches, we take firmer action, which may include legal proceedings or recovering the debt from bank accounts or other income sources.
We continue to focus on those who persistently remain in or fall into debt. We will maintain our focus on occupations such as the legal and accounting professions.
Where circumstances suggest that paying a debt will cause serious hardship for a taxpayer, we explain their options, including how they can apply for release from the debt.
Sections within A. Individuals
Last Modified: Tuesday, 11 March 2008