The ATO are available to help if you have been impacted by a disaster
Major floods are creating challenging conditions across NSW and south-east Queensland, and the ATO understand that family and property are the priority during this difficult time. While tax affairs may not be at top of mind for those affected by the floods, they are here to help when the time is right. The ATO have a range of practical support options available depending on which type of disaster you have been affected by.
Floods
Depending on your circumstances, the ATO may:
- give you extra time to pay your debt or lodge tax forms such as activity statements;
- help you find your lost tax file number (TFN) after verifying your identity;
- re-issue income tax returns, activity statements and notices of assessment;
- help you reconstruct lost or damaged tax records;
- prioritise any refunds you are owed;
- set up a payment plan tailored to your circumstances, including an interest-free period;
- remit penalties or interest charged during the time you have been affected.
COVID-19
- A range of support options are available if you are worried you are if you are worried you won’t be able to pay on time, or have already missed a due date.
- If you feel an individual or business is not acting within the guidelines of the COVID-19 measures, you can make a tip-off to the ATO.
- If you think you have been contacted by a scammer or are suspicious about an email, SMS or phone call, you can check with the ATO.
- Make sure your details are correct in your myGov account, and if there is anything amiss, you can contact their Client Identity Support Centre on 1800 467 033 to help you protect your tax identity.
Bushfires
Depending on your circumstances, the ATO may:
- give you extra time to pay tax or lodge tax forms, such as activity statements or other returns;
- find your tax file number (TFN) by verifying your identity using key information, such as date of birth, address and bank account details;
- re-issue documents including tax returns, activity statements and notices of assessment, for example, if you need to access government payments or concessions;
- help you reconstruct tax records that are lost or damaged so you can claim entitlements including income tax deductions or access government payments;
- prioritise any refunds owed;
- set up a payment plan tailored to your individual situation;
- remit penalties or interest charged during the time you have been affected.
Drought
Depending on your circumstances, the ATO may help you with:
- more time to pay or payment plans with interest-free periods;
- waiving penalties or interest charges;
- tax incentives for primary producers;
- small business tax concessions.
For more information about support available, visit ato.gov.au/dealing with disasters or phone 1800 806 218.