Alternative dispute resolution

Agreeing to an alternative dispute resolution process when we plan our information gathering with you can help clarify and limit the scope and issues of a dispute. The process can occur at any stage of a dispute. Engaging in dispute resolution at the right time is more likely to resolve an issue.

We are committed to timely and cost-effective dispute resolution and aim to provide transparency around our processes. To help reduce disputes, when we request information for large or more complex cases, we will generally:

• provide you with an opportunity to discuss the scope, appropriateness and relevance of the information we have requested – when possible, we will provide reasons for our request
• work with you to identify the most efficient way to respond to our information request – when there are significant difficulties in providing the information requested, we will work with you to identify alternative documents
• consider whether other information sources could minimise compliance costs – but there are times when we require specific documents and cannot accept alternatives or substitutes
• give you an opportunity to explain the information and documents you provide.

For more routine matters and smaller or less-complex cases, including high-volume requests, we will usually provide a contact person so that you can discuss our request, if necessary.

For more about our policies and guidelines for attempting to resolve or limit disputes by alternative means, refer to PS LA 2013/3 - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in ATO disputes.