In-house facilitation
Our in-house facilitation service is ideal for less complex disputes and can be used at any stage from audit up to litigation.
Independent review service
Our independent review service focuses on the early resolution of disputes where taxpayers disagree with the audit position.
Independent review service for large business taxpayers
You can request an independent review if your turnover or income is greater than $250 million and you have received a Statement of Audit Position regarding your income tax, excise, goods and services tax, or other forms of tax.
Independent review service for small business taxpayers
Our independent review service is available as an additional dispute resolution option for eligible small businesses with a turnover less than $10 million. It allows you to achieve an early and fair resolution of your dispute, where you disagree with the audit position on most income tax and indirect tax obligations.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Used appropriately, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a cost-effective, informal, consensual and speedy way to resolve disputes.
Early assessment and resolution
An early assessment and resolution process is applied to all tax dispute cases. It focuses on early engagement with the taxpayer (preferably in person), to listen, discuss and accept evidence of events where appropriate.
Dispute Assist
Dispute Assist is a free service to help unrepresented individuals and small businesses with the dispute process.
Settlement and litigation
Settlement policy
In a dispute about a tax or superannuation liability or debt, or an ATO decision, we may consider agreeing to a settlement with the taxpayer, consistent with the code of settlement.
Litigation policy
Litigation is appropriate where:
- there is a contentious or uncertain point of law that requires clarification and it is in the public interest to seek law clarification through litigation
- the behaviour involved is such that we need to send a strong message to the community
- there is a longstanding unresolvable debt
- the dispute is intractable, alternative means of resolving the dispute have been attempted but have not produced an acceptable outcome.
Find out about
See also
- ATO plain English guide to alternative dispute resolution
- Disputes policy
- Panel discussion on dispute resolution
- Our commitment to you in resolving your dispute