ATO down for ages - Never sent email or letter about return, now tax debt probably overdue (ATO = hopeless)

Llainey13 on 13/12/2016 - 20:30

Has anyone else failed to receive an email alert that they received a mygov email from the ATO about their tax return?

I made an amendment to my tax return, and it stated it may take up to four weeks for this to be processed. I was expecting some sort of mygov message when it was processed, or at the very least for my notice to come in the mailbox. I received nothing and now I'm worried that my tax return debt is overdue. But I can't check this because the entire bloody ATO system is down all day long! You can't check it online or over the phone because the whole thing is in shambles (as reported in The Age: http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-service/thousands-o… and http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ent…).

My partner has had his debt referred to some debt collection agency and he also never received any notification about his tax return assessment. Could the ATO have added interest to the amount he owed? Does this affect his credit rating?

Of course I could call up the ATO… but because their whole system is down they can only handle 'general' inquiries and the wait is enormous!!

… bloody ATO!

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Comments

  • garetz on 13/12/2016 - 20:45
    +1

    If debt is refereed to a debt collection agency, then it will definitely affect his credit rating.

  • mrham on 13/12/2016 - 20:45
    +1

    Have you tried calling the ATO to explain the situation? Usually when you talk to them they're pretty decent people willing to help out, assuming you're trying to do the right thing.
    Edit: Also their system was working fine an hour ago.

  • bluesky on 13/12/2016 - 20:47

    This may be of help: note down the times etc you try to check on the status, and how it was unavailble.
    If the penalty notice ever comes, all this will come in handy if you have to submit a request to waive the penalty.

  • retiredfeline on 13/12/2016 - 20:54

    It's in the news. Given the bad publicity, they would look even worse if they penalised people for their system issues. So cheer up.

  • Diji1 on 13/12/2016 - 23:16

    They're wonderfully diligent about going after individuals while Australia's top 500 companies by market cap pay an average of 2% tax. Almost all of that tax is paid by the bottom 30% of the top 500 with the upper 60% paying close to zero.

  • payless69 on 26/12/2016 - 20:52
    +1

    I had a huge issue being in Cairns and the word Internet is rarely something we can even dream of. I I am on the fastest Telstra FTH but once kids come home forget it.
    Got monster fines and huge interest bills but hours on the phone with the ATO they always acted very polite and very very professional. Eventually worked all my issues out and they must be applauded for their very patient and professional attitude. Sadly dealing with the QLD Govt is nearly impossible much easier to train a monkey!!
    Changover from Etax to Mytax has been a larger than expected headache and the new setup is getting better every day.
    My advice: Be friendly but just and point out the true facts and with patience you will succeed!

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