In the 2013–2014 Federal Budget, the ATO was provided with $67.9 million over four years to undertake compliance activity in relation to trust structures.
The taskforce will utilise intelligence systems as well as new tax return labels to gather information.
The ATO says the taskforce will not target ordinary trust arrangements or tax planning associated with genuine business or family dealings, but will focus on what it refers to as “higher-risk taxpayers”.
Situations that would attract the attention of the ATO include arrangements where trusts or their beneficiaries who have received substantial income are not registered.
