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Hi Michael,
You’re in the same situation as my sister in-law who was contacted by the ATO for an audit in November 2023 for her 2022-23 tax returns. She took a phone call and called back and they said she is requested for the audit.
She was a full time employee and we used the method as suggested by Mark. Out of 7 people I knew who did that in the 2022-23 financial year, only she was flagged.
The ATO rejected her claim that she was a living woman and penalised her for 50% of her claims, amounting to $3,500 additional fines.
She decided to pay it.
Then last December, the ATO sent her a letter to follow up on the case seeking an interview to understand why she did that. We wrote back declining the invitation. In late February, the ATO wrote her a letter telling her that concluded the investigation and gave her a warning recognising she had paid the penalty.
Two days ago, she received a letter requesting an audit for the 2023-24 year as she claimed deductions the the ATO claimed was unusually high for her occupation. I’m going to review the contents of the letter.
This time, she had already received her notice of assessment so we thought it was settled.
We will write back this time asking them to provide cause and state that we are going to consider pursuing it with the Ombudsman for harassment that they are requesting another audit.
It’s clear the government is cash strapped. Down with the ATO and those who work within.
God bless,
Brian