Tax planning

You have the right to arrange your financial affairs to keep your tax to a minimum. This is often referred to as tax planning, or tax-effective investing.

Tax planning is legitimate when you do it within the intent of the law. However tax minimisation schemes that are outside the spirit of the law may attract our attention. We refer to these as tax avoidance schemes or arrangements.

A tax avoidance scheme involves the deliberate exploitation of our tax and superannuation systems. We take these schemes seriously, and will take action when they are not lawful.

Involvement in a tax avoidance scheme can risk your original investment. You might also have to pay back tax, with interest and penalties.

If you think you are involved in a scheme, we can help you. If you tell us about your involvement before we start to investigate you could be eligible for a reduction in penalties.

You can contact us by:

• phoning 1800 060 062
• completing a tip-off form. The form is also available in the contact us section of the ATO app.

Watch:

Find out about:

• Check before you commit to an arrangement
• Tax avoidance schemes to watch out for
• Super Scheme Smart
• Tax professionals: Protecting your clients and practice
• Report schemes and promoters
• Promoter penalty law

^{Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.}