What are misinformation and disinformation
Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is not created with the intention of causing harm. It's often spread innocently or carelessly where people don't realise the information they're sharing isn't correct.
Disinformation is false or inaccurate information that is deliberately created and spread to harm a person, social group, organisation or country.
If you act on misinformation or disinformation about tax or super, it can lead to very serious consequences. So, we recommend that you:
- only act on information you can trust
- be careful in using artificial intelligence (AI) for tax and super information
- check the information with the ATO or a tax or super professional.
Only act on information you can trust
You may come across misinformation or disinformation in many ways. Sometimes it's hard to know if a source is one you can trust.
Beware of things like:
- unqualified people sharing incorrect or ‘free expert’ tax and super advice on social media or other platforms
- fake or dodgy websites with incorrect information
- unofficial government websites – for example, if the website URL doesn’t end in '.gov.au' then it may not be an official government website
- unverified social media accounts
- fake news articles or false information shared on social media or other platforms
- influencers who encourage you to 'game' the tax and super systems or promise 'guaranteed' outcomes (like refund amounts)
- misleading phrases, like 'tax loophole' or 'ATO hack'
- claims, tips and tricks with no source to back them up
- promotion of unlawful tax schemes and tax fraud
- ATO-impersonation scams.
Don't be misled by disinformation
Unfortunately, we continue to see examples of disinformation about tax and super. Of particular concern is harmful disinformation that makes false claims about the ATO, including ones that Australian courts have consistently rejected.
The truth is as follows:
- The ATO does have legal standing, and you can't ignore our authority. Under the Taxation Administration Act 1953, the ATO is authorised to assist the Commissioner of Taxation to collect tax revenue and enforce compliance. Ignoring or refusing to engage with us may lead to significant penalties or prosecution.
- You must fulfil your tax obligations, and you can't opt out of the tax system. Paying tax is a legal obligation under Australian law. The Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, passed by Australian Parliament, set out how tax must be applied. Avoiding tax obligations can lead to significant penalties. For our response to these false claims, see PS LA 2004/10 Tax laws claimed to be invalid.
- The ATO is not owned by a company. The ATO has an Australian Business Number (ABN), but this doesn't mean we’re a private commercial entity. Government entities hold ABNs for administrative and operational reasons, such as issuing invoices, interacting with other agencies, receiving payments or upholding employer PAYGW obligations. An ABN is simply an identification number used within the Australian Business Register system. It doesn't change the ATO’s status as a statutory authority established under the Taxation Administration Act 1953.
Using AI for tax and super information
Be careful how you use artificial intelligence (AI) for tax and super information. AI tools can:
- generate inaccurate information
- expose you to privacy and security risks.
It's important to:
- check with a trusted source
- protect your information.
Examples of information generated by AI include:
- search engine summaries
- AI overviews
- responses in chat tools.
Risks of using AI-generated information
AI-generated information can be incorrect, incomplete or outdated because it can:
- miss or confuse important details (for example, make sure the tax rate the AI has given is for the right year)
- make up information
- not apply to your situation.
Check with a trusted source
The safest way to ensure AI information is accurate is to use a trusted source.
Always check the:
- source of information the AI tool summarises, by selecting the source link it includes
- information you get with a trusted source, like our website or official information or a tax or super professional
- information applies to your situation.
Protect your information
Do not share your personal information with AI. Personal information includes your:
- name
- tax file number
- bank details
- phone number
- address.
Check information before you act
Getting your tax and super obligations wrong can be serious. You could incur penalties and fines or even be prosecuted. You need to be careful about acting on advice from a person, business or organisation that isn't a qualified expert.
If you're unsure if information is correct, check it with the ATO or a tax or super professional before you act on it.
Check with us
We are your primary source of information about your tax and super obligations. You can connect with us to check information you've got from sources that you're unsure of.
Ways to connect with us include:
- our website – ato.gov.au is your source of truth for tax and super information. As well as general information, we also provide
- ATO advice and guidance products to help you understand how the law applies to you
- information to help you to protect yourself from serious forms of disinformation like tax schemes or scams
- subscriptions – sign up to our newslettersExternal Link, RSS news feeds or email subscription services to get the latest information and updates you need for your situation, straight from us
- our official ATO social media accounts on FacebookExternal Link, InstagramExternal Link, LinkedInExternal Link
- ATO CommunityExternal Link – join the conversation to help find answers to your tax and super questions
- our Contact us page – we have multiple options to help you with your tax and super and a dedicated phone number to verify or report a scam.
Check with a tax or super professional
Depending on the type of tax or super advice you need, you should check with a tax or super professional, for example:
- a registered tax practitioner – use the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) RegisterExternal Link to check if a tax or BAS agent is registered
- another tax or super professional, including a
- licensed financial adviser – the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Moneysmart Financial advisers registerExternal Link or ASIC Professional Registers SearchExternal Link can help you work out if the person or organisation offering you the information is an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence holderExternal Link, or the director, employee or an authorised representative of an AFS licence holder – if they offer you financial products and advice and don't hold a valid licence issued by ASIC, they could be operating illegally, and you may not be protected
- an SMSF auditor – use the ASIC Professional Registers SearchExternal Link to help work out if they're registered
- a practising legal practitioner – start by checking the person is registered with your state or territory's online register of lawyers
- a qualified insolvency practitioner
- if you're a company registered under the Corporations Act 2001, use ASIC Series 4A: Registered liquidator listsExternal Link to check if they're a Registered Liquidator
- if you're an individual, sole trader or partnership, use the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) Register of trusteesExternal Link to check if they're a Registered Trustee.
You can also check information via your own super fund's website.
How to report misinformation or disinformation
You can confidentially report misinformation or disinformation by either:
- completing the tip-off form on our website or in the ATO app 'Contact us' section
- phoning us on 1800 060 062.
Details to report
If possible, you should include the following information when reporting:
- details of the misinformation or disinformation, including where it's being promoted
- a link to the website or screenshot of the information
- name and contact details of the person, business or organisation promoting it.
The more details you can provide, the better we can act on it. Even if you only know partial details or can only complete some sections of the tip-off form, it's still very useful.
See Making a tip-off for more information.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.