More than 300 000 taxpayers who have already lodged their 2008/9 tax return are still waiting for the ATO to issue their notice of assessment and pay their tax refunds.

This situation is affecting many of our clients who have lodged after 1 January 2010.

Since the the Tax Office installed a new multimillion-dollar computer system to process claims in January, there is a growing list of delays, glitches, errors and problems.

Recent media coverage about the problem:

• Article: Tax Office admits delays with income tax refunds 
• Article: Refunds delayed by new system and Child Support Agency
• Article: ATO sorry your tax refund is overdue

What can we do if you are affected?

If you have lodged your tax return after early January 2010 and have not received your notice of assessment then you may be affected. The ATO will pay interest on all tax refunds that are more than 30 days late if their system is responsible for the delay.

We continue to contact the ATO on behalf of our clients on a regular basis – and through our professional body, the NTAA – provide feedback to the ATO.

These glitches are creating hardships and cashflow problems for some of our clients. Unfortunately, there is very little we can do except process refunds and send out assessment notices as soon as we have received them.

If clients wish to contact the ATO directly, they may do so on 13 28 61 or visit this ATO website for more information.

For more information, please contact us on 08 9246 9055 or send an email to: marmion@prouse.com.au

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