The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is an entity that no one wants to tangle with unnecessarily. It’s the government body responsible for ensuring that taxes are collected efficiently and fairly, but sometimes, interactions with the ATO can become a source of anxiety and fear, as was the case for young Australian Gabby Goessling.
Gabby’s story serves as a cautionary tale for all of us, especially those who may not be as vigilant about keeping their personal details up to date with government agencies. After changing her address, Gabby failed to inform the ATO of her new location. This oversight led to a series of events that left her in tears, fearing she was on the brink of being arrested.
The ATO had been sending multiple letters to Gabby’s old address, each one escalating in urgency. By the time she received the accumulated mail, marked with ‘FINAL WARNING’, the situation seemed dire. Gabby’s reaction was one of sheer panic. ‘I thought that they thought that I’m a criminal… I would obviously pay my taxes, it’s not that I can’t pay it, I just didn’t know, because they’re going to the wrong address,’ she explained. ‘And I just finally got all the letters… But I literally thought I was gonna get arrested.’ She noted that the letters threatened to report her to the authorities if she didn’t respond.
Gabby’s experience is not unique. Many Australians have shared similar stories of receiving alarming notices from the ATO and feeling the weight of potential legal consequences. One individual recounted a billing error that suggested they owed a staggering $198,000, while another spoke of the mental anguish caused by the fear of imprisonment over a simple misunderstanding.
To prevent such distressing situations, the ATO urges Australians to keep their contact details current. A spokesperson for the ATO highlighted the importance of this, stating, ‘The quickest way to update your personal contact details with us is to self-serve online. You need a myGov account linked to the ATO.’
Updating your details with the ATO is straightforward and can be done in several ways:
- Use myGov to update your contact details across multiple government-linked services simultaneously.
- Access ATO online services to update your details specifically with the ATO.
- Utilise the ATO app to update your details on the go.
- Alternatively, you can call the ATO directly or send a letter to update your information.
Accountant Will Buckley commented on the issue, suggesting that the ATO should employ a more comprehensive approach to communication. He noted that while automated letters are common, the ATO could also make phone calls, send emails, or notify tax agents to ensure taxpayers are informed. Buckley empathises with those who forget to update their address, acknowledging that moving can involve updating details with multiple agencies, which can be overwhelming.
Keeping your details updated can save you from unnecessary stress. Have you experienced a similar issue with the ATO or another agency? Share your tips and stories in the comments below!
Also read: ATO to implement a new policy: It is ‘very concerning’
Why didn’t the new tenant/landlord at her previous address return the Letters to the ATO stating that she was no longer resident at that address.
Never had an issue with the ATO in 45 years.
A few years back they audited me for two years worth of records, most likely because my deductions were very high due to the nature of my work. I produced all the required records (a lot) and proved that my deductions were valid and within the ATO rules.
Except for one detail, I was adding in a day each week that I shouldn’t. It amounted to $3,000 worth of tax refunds I’d received and I expected they would want that back. NO, they said they would let it go and to ensure further years deductions were made correctly.
Could not be more pleased how the ATO handled my audit.
Government Departments can be very bureaucratic and it can be very stressful dealing with them. Increasingly, the humans are being taken out and processes automated.
I note the comment from Greg, saying he had no difficulties over 45 years apart from an audit 45 years ago. Without knowing the timeframe, that could have been at a time when there were more staff.
My TFN was exposed in a cyber attack on a law firm HWL Ebsworth. It now has a lock on it. I have to call every time I need access and have the lock removed temporarily.
The article indicates going though MyGov. The problem is not everyone is able to use this, and users are being pushed to automation. I am 61, it’s fine for me. My father just passed away a couple of months ago, he was not able to use it. Many older family and relatives find this difficult.
There was a typo in my reply, I said Greg had an audit 45 years ago, I meant a few years ago.
Government needs to put people back in.
They should send all types of communication including email, text & letter.