Latest findings
We have completed 1,176 reviews for income tax on 794 taxpayers that are within the current Top 1,000 population (following the recalibration of the population in 2024). Of these taxpayers, 394 have been reviewed more than once.
As a result of this income tax related work, we note the following.
- High proportion of population covered. 82% of the Top 1,000 population have been reviewed under an income tax assurance review at least once. Of the 18% that are not yet reviewed, many of these taxpayers are either under review currently or will be selected for review in coming years.
- High levels of assurance over taxpayers paying substantial income tax. Of the $32.8 billion of income tax paid by taxpayers in the Top 1,000 population in the 2023 income year, $29 billion was paid by taxpayers that have achieved a high or medium assurance rating in their latest review. Whilst this rating may not necessarily cover the 2023 income year, it gives confidence that a high proportion of tax paid is by taxpayers achieving medium or high assurance. Additionally, we are confident that we have reviewed a large proportion of taxpayers carrying forward tax losses, and population coverage will increase on these taxpayers in the years ahead.
- Continuing to see high levels of assurance that the right amount of tax has been paid. We continue to see high levels of assurance in the Top 1,000 population, with 26% of taxpayers reaching high assurance in their last review, and 89% achieving high or medium assurance. We have high assurance that 32% of significant taxpayers in the Top 1,000 population, being those with turnover exceeding $1 billion, are reporting and paying the right amount of income tax.
- Continual improvements in compliance and tax governance. Improvements in the tax risk management and governance framework of Top 1,000 taxpayers continue, with most taxpayers having effectively designed controls in place for the management of tax reporting as at their last review. In reviews undertaken in 2025, 57% of taxpayers achieved a stage 2 or stage 3 rating for tax governance. Improvements are observed in both significant and general taxpayers in the population.
- We detect and escalate issues of concern for further investigation. We continue to escalate cases for further review or audit due to specific concerns with identified positions. In the reviews conducted in 2025, 6% were escalated for further action by the ATO. This is a reduction in the number escalated since the start of the combined assurance review program, with 11% of all combined assurance reviews undertaken having been progressed for further review or audit.
Additionally, we have completed 735 reviews for GST on 643 taxpayers that are within the current Top 1,000 population (following the recalibration of the population in 2024). Of these taxpayers, 103 have received an assurance rating more than once.
Based on the outcomes of these GST reviews, we note the following.
- Increased assurance that the right amount of GST has been paid. We observed 45% of taxpayers reviewed in 2025 achieving a high assurance rating for GST. This has increased the overall number of taxpayers reviewed through the Top 1,000 assurance program achieving a high assurance for GST to 41%, with 95% achieving an overall high or medium assurance rating for GST.
- Sustained improvements in GST governance. The improvements previously observed in GST governance continued in 2025, and as at their last review, 48% of taxpayers assured have achieved a stage 2 or 3 rating. Given the strong correlation between GST governance and correct reporting, this gives us confidence that these taxpayers will continue to report and pay the correct amount of GST.
- Taxpayers should be continually reviewing their GST compliance. We continue to see 34% of taxpayers making a voluntary disclosure once notified of a review, and before receiving our recommendations. This suggests that these taxpayers are undertaking self-reviews when notified of the combined assurance review, rather than as part of a regular governance process.