Speaking at Xerocon 2019, ATO second commissioner Jeremy Hirschhorn said that while the Tax Office always welcomes feedback when it implements new changes, it is hoping for the “quiet majority” to stand up and acknowledge good changes to the system, rather than letting negative voices dominate the discussion.
“When there is change coming, and you think this is actually a good change, maybe a little bit of a hump to get there, but it’s a good change and it will improve the system, and you see people who are saying, ‘This is the end of the world, it’s a disaster’ — they’re very noisy. Please don’t stand by and let them be the only ones shouting,” Mr Hirschhorn said.
“The way the system works is you need voices. If you think it’s a great idea, put up your hand and say it’s a great idea to balance out the naysayers, because otherwise, the way the political circle works, it listens to the volume.
“If there are only voices on one side, things don’t happen. Good ideas can die very easily if people don’t put up their hand and say that’s actually a really good idea.”
He added: “The boy who cried wolf problem is real.”
Mr Hirschhorn’s request followed comments from fellow panellist Karen Lay-Brew, director at the Australian Business Software Industry Association, who noted that the introduction of Single Touch Payroll had teething problems despite the good intentions that the new change had sought to bring about.
The implantation of STP has been a divisive point for practitioners and their clients, with some commending the move to make payroll digital, and others questioning the costs involved for small businesses.
I’m also one of the “noisy minority”, the Govt/ATO have really no idea the administrative burden to small business with STP. A majority of my clients have ignored it so far, throwing this in the too hard basket with no suitable solution to their problems. Govt/ATO really need to update the existing BAS reporting system to capture this information for micro businesses. Still can’t see the benefit of STP for micro businesses, only another added burden.
In the case of Single Touch Payroll, the “Noisy Minority” are fully representing the “Silent Majority”. STP is a huge burden for small mum and dad businesses, who iether can’t afford software, or aren’t tech savvy.
Exactly.
Maybe if the Government stopped changing the rules every few months and then the ATO having to enforce changes without adequate time and guidance people would not get their back up. If you want STP that’s great. How about the ATO providing the software/forms on the ATO portal for the small mum and dad businesses who don’t use MYOB or Zero? If you want the data make it easier for people to give it to you.