Editor:  The ATO has issued a media release in relation to a new small business consultancy panel.  As positions on the panel are paid, some clients may wish to consider applying.

The ATO is inviting Australia’s small business owners to apply to join its new ‘small business consultation panel’ to help cut red tape and boost the ATO’s small business expertise. The consultation panel will bring together small business operators with:

–   at least two years experience running a business; and

–   an annual turnover of less than $2 million.

Note that taxation, consulting or accounting experience is not necessary.

ATO Second Commissioner Neil Olesen said: “We encourage small business owners from a range of industries to apply to join the panel so they can help shape the future of how the ATO and other government agencies interact with small business. “Our objective for the panel is to explore opportunities to reduce the time it takes for business operators to comply with their employer, super and tax obligations so they can get back to the important job of running their small business.”

Business operators joining the panel may be contracted on a short-term, as-needs basis to participate in consultation activities (including workshops and user testing) to provide feedback from a small business perspective.

Successful applicants will be paid for their services. Interested small business operators should email smallbusinessconsultation@ato.gov.au to request an information and application pack, or download the information from www.tenders.gov.au (search for ATM 14.008a).