SME risk differentiation framework paper

Published on 02 May 13 by SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION, THE TAX INSTITUTE

In August 2012, the ATO released its latest Compliance Program for small to medium enterprises and wealthy individuals, showing an important change in its approach to this part of the economy. The ATO has been applying its Risk Differentiation Framework to large business for some years, classifying taxpayers’ risk and determining the level of review or audit activity as a result.This Framework is now being applied to SMEs and wealthy individuals for the first time, and is likely to significantly change how and why a taxpayer is selected for review.

This paper involves Scott Bryant, a tax partner at PwC with many years of experience in dealing with the ATO, and Michael Cranston, the Deputy Commissioner Small and Medium Enterprises. Scott and Michael take you through the practical implications of the new ATO approach, how your clients may attract ATO attention, how the ATO classifies taxpayers, and what the consequences of different risk classifications can be.

Author profiles

Scott Bryant

Scott is a Senior Tax Partner in the PwC International network with more than 30 years Professional Services experience in a wide range of Industry, Client facing and Firm Leadership roles. Based in Adelaide, Scott has also worked in a number of markets and most recently Tokyo, advising a wide range of multi-national, listed and large private companies on market entry and associated tax issues. Scott is a former Taxation Institute SA State Councillor, SA Education Committee member, CTA and is a regular presenter of taxation related papers and topics both locally and nationally. - Current at 13 November 2019

More by Scott BRYANT

• Lifecycle of a resources project paper - 26-November-2008
• Managing ATO contact and tax disputes paper - 05-May-2006
• New Section 109UB - The X Factor seminar paper - 12-March-2004
• Simplified Imputation seminar paper - 11-April-2003
• Simplified imputation - 03-October-2002
• Simplified imputation - 29-July-2002
• Franking - Beware of the proposed changes to the Imputation Rules - 07-February-2001
• Profits First Rule: Distribution of profits - 01-November-2000
• Profits first rule - 15-September-2000
• Profits first rule - 01-August-2000
• Company Law Review Act - 02-September-1998

Click here to expand/collapse more articles by Scott BRYANT.

Michael (MERGE FAILED USE 156921) Cranston

Michael joined the ATO in 1977. He moved to his current role as Deputy Commissioner Private Groups and High Wealth Individuals in October 2011. His responsibilities include supporting increased willing participation and ensuring voluntary compliance of taxpayers in the privately owned groups and high wealth individuals population, focusing on serious abuses of the tax system (including through the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce) along with addressing aggressive tax planning. Michael is also the client experience owner for privately owned wealthy groups for the ATO. He has represented the ATO on a number of Australian and international forums including chairing the OECD Taskforce on Tax Crimes. - Current at 28 June 2016

More by Michael CRANSTON

• Managing risk in the SME market paper - 17-May-2012

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