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ATO data-matching programs

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The ATO has announced a number of new data-matching programs.

Employers and WorkCover

The ATO says it will request and collect the names and addresses of employer entities from state and territory WorkCover sources for the 2011 to 2013 financial years. This includes data from:

  • WorkSafe Victoria;WorkCover South Australia;

  • WorkCover New South Wales;

  • WorkCover Queensland;

  • WorkCover Western Australia;

  • WorkCover Northern Territory;

  • WorkCover Australian CapitalTerritory; and

  • WorkCover Tasmania.

According to the ATO, the total number of records Australia-wide is estimated to be 942,000, of which approximately 103,000 are individual employers. It says the data will be matched to identify employers who might not be complying with their registration, lodgment and payment obligations under taxation law. The ATO says it might also disclose information about employers who might not be meeting their obligations under workers compensation laws, if requested by relevant WorkCover authorities.

Source: Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette No GN 12, 27 March 2013 [pp 859], www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G00491.

Student and temporary work visa holders

The ATO says it will request and collect the names, addresses and other details of student and temporary work visa holders between the period 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2014 from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 income years. The Visa Subclasses affected include:

  • 406 – Government Agreement;

  • 410 and 411 – Retirement Visa; Exchange Visa;

  • 415 to 424 – Foreign Government Agency; Visiting Academic; Sport; Medical Practitioner; Media and Film Staff;

  • 426 to 428 – Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular; Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Executive; Religious Worker;

  • 442 – Occupational Trainee;

  • 457 – Business (Long Stay);

  • 462 – Work and Holiday Visa;

  • 570 to 476 – English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Temporary Visa; Schools Sector Temporary Visa; Vocational Education and Training Sector Temporary Visa; Higher Education Sector Temporary Visa; Postgraduate Research Sector Temporary Visa; Non-award Sector Temporary Visa; AusAID or Defence Sponsored Sector Temporary Visa; and

  • 580 – Student Guardian Visa.

The ATO says details of approximately one million individuals will be matched to identify potential fraud and other non-compliance with lodgment and payment obligations under taxation law. It says it will also provide information to assist the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to maintain the integrity of the student and temporary working visa programs.

Source: Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette No GN 15, 17 April 2013 [p 1044], www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G00598.

Online sellers

The ATO says it will collect the following information from online sellers who have made sales of $20,000 or more in the 2010–2011 income year through various online selling websites:

  • user identification name and number;

  • name;

  • address;

  • telephone numbers;

  • date of birth;

  • email addresses;

  • registration date;

  • number and value of monthly sales;

  • Australian Internet Protocol addresses; and

  • bank account details.

The ATO says the selected online selling sites represent some of the largest market participants in Australia and have been selected because they track the sale and purchase price of goods and services as part of the transactions through their websites. It says records relating to approximately 11,000 individuals will be matched to identify non-compliance with lodgment, payment and correct reporting obligations under taxation law, including undeclared income and goods and services tax (GST) obligations.

Source: Notified in Commonwealth Gazette No GN 13, 3 April 2013 [p 876], www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G00509.

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