Small Business Stewardship Group key messages 22 March 2023

Key messages from the Small Business Stewardship Group meeting 22 March 2023.

Last updated 9 July 2023

Small business debt

Members participated in a session facilitated by Fyusion Asia about understanding the ATO small business landscape. The session sought insight from members on how the ATO can best support small business manage their tax debt and encourage early engagement when they need help.

Agency Updates

ATO

The Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) report Investigation and Exploration of undisputed tax debts in AustraliaExternal Link was released on 30 June 2021. In this report, the IGTO recommended co-design and enhanced reporting of debt data that may be shared publicly or with discrete stakeholders to assist with tailoring their work and/or engagements. Consultation commenced on 20 March 2023.

The Small Business Newsroom will be moving to a new platform to provide additional flexibility and more timely and tailored delivery of news content for readers. The change means that small businesses need to re-subscribe if they would like to continue receiving the newsroom. Small Business Stewardship Group members are encouraged to promote this message to their members and networks.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

The Ombudsman will undertake a review of the implementation for reforms to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPR’s). The purpose of which is to assess the effectiveness of reforms, how the changes impact small businesses that participate in commonwealth procurement and recommend further changes that could improve operation for small business.

Treasury

Treasury released a survey to one thousand small businesses with the purpose of understanding mental health impacts during the pandemic. Results indicate that over 20% were diagnosed with a mental health condition, however half did not seek support due to stigma. Other barriers to accessing support included cost and lack of time.

The Payment Times Reporting Scheme review is on track with a report to be provided to government by 30 June 2023.

The Franchise Disclosure Register became searchable on 15 November 2022 to address current information gaps and to support due diligence activities for those considering entering a franchise.

Meeting close

We have formally commenced a membership refresh to ensure we have the right balance of voices representing the small business sector. Nominations are open.

Attendees

Attendees list
Organisation	Attendee
ATO	Will Day (Co-chair), Small Business
ATO	Anthony Marvello, Technical Leadership and Advice
ATO	Emma Tobias, Small Business Experience
ATO	Kath Anderson, Individuals and Intermediaries
ATO	Larissa Jones-Angel, Marketing and Communication
ATO	Martin Jacobs, Australian Business Registery Services
ATO	Michelle Allen, Superannuation and Employer Obligations
ATO	Vivek Chaudhary, Lodge and Pay
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry	Natalie Heazlewood
Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association	Michael Renshaw
Australian Retailers Association	Jason Robertson
Australian Veterinary Association	Moss Siddle
Business Enterprises Centre Australia	John Todd
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand	Susan Franks
Direct Selling Association of Australia Inc	Adele Sutton
Indigenous Business Australia	Gordon Jeffrey
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers	Colin Walker
Real Estate Institute of Australia	Jock Kreitals
Restaurant and Catering Industry Association	Hugo Robinson
Small Business Operator	Deborah Cook
Small Business Operator	Paul Meissner
Small Business Operator	Tony Sama
Treasury	Bede Fraser, Small and Family Business
Treasury	Gino Grassia, Small and Family Business

Guest attendees

Guest attendee list
Organisation	Attendee
ATO	Anita Challen, Lodge and Pay
ATO	Claire O’Neill, Lodge and Pay
ATO	Ian Ayrton, GST Program
ATO	Jacqui Marchment, Lodge and Pay
ATO	Jill Kitto, Lodge and Pay
ATO	Michael Buscema, Lodge and Pay
ATO	Stacey Clarke, Lodge and Pay
ATO	Thomas Kaplan, Lodge and Pay
Financial Counselling Australia	Helen Davis
Fyusion	Hulie Kleinman, Facilitator
Fyusion	Lisa Koch, Facilitator
McKinsey	Seckin Ungar
McKinsey	Sohaib Perwaiz
Treasury	Tom Pollock
UNSW Tax Clinic	Dr Ann Kayis-Kumar

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