Whistleblower exposes ATO 'cash grab' targeting small businesses

Two Australian Taxation Office whistleblowers have told a joint Four Corners and Fairfax investigation about a toxic internal culture where vulnerable small businesses and individuals are deliberately targeted to help meet revenue goals. They allege unethical tactics are used for revenue raising, at the expense of correct procedure and fairness to taxpayers. ATO debt collection officer Richard Boyle has told Four Corners that last year some staff were instructed to seize funds from the bank accounts of taxpayers assessed to owe the Tax Office money, regardless of their personal circumstances.

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