Receiving a letter from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can be unsettling, particularly when it mentions a review or audit of your tax affairs. Many taxpayers immediately assume they have done something wrong or that they are facing a penalty.

However, an ATO audit letter does not automatically mean you have made a mistake. The ATO may review tax returns and other tax information to verify claims, investigate potential discrepancies, or better understand a taxpayer’s circumstances. Understanding why you received the letter and what to do next can help you respond calmly and appropriately.

What Does an ATO Audit Letter Mean?

An ATO audit letter generally means the ATO wants to examine particular aspects of your tax affairs more closely.

Australia operates under a self-assessment system, meaning taxpayers generally provide information through their tax returns and the ATO may subsequently review or audit that information where appropriate.

The letter should explain what the ATO is reviewing and may identify specific income, deductions, transactions or other information they want you to clarify.

Depending on the circumstances, the ATO may ask you to:

• Provide supporting documents
• Explain how a deduction was calculated
• Confirm information included in your tax return
• Provide additional financial records
• Answer specific questions about your tax affairs
• Provide evidence that an expense was genuinely incurred

The scope of the request is important because you should focus your response on the information the ATO is actually asking for.

Why Would the ATO Review Your Tax Return?

There are several reasons why the ATO may decide to review a taxpayer’s affairs.

The ATO uses information and analysis to identify potential risks, including unusual or inconsistent information. A review may help determine whether there is a genuine issue or whether the taxpayer’s position is correct.

Some factors that may attract attention include:

• Deductions that appear unusually high
• Information that does not match information held by the ATO
• Significant changes in income or expenses
• Unusual transactions
• Claims requiring additional evidence
• Tax risks identified through ATO compliance activities

Importantly, being selected for a review does not automatically mean the ATO believes you have deliberately done something wrong.

The ATO itself states that checking tax, superannuation or registration affairs does not necessarily mean it considers a taxpayer to have been untruthful.

Is an ATO Audit the Same as a Tax Review?

Not necessarily.

The ATO can undertake different types of compliance activities, including reviews and audits.

A risk review may be used to gather information and determine whether a potential tax risk exists. An audit is generally a more detailed examination of identified risks and may involve more extensive verification of documents, transactions and circumstances.

For taxpayers, the practical lesson is simple: read the letter carefully and understand exactly what the ATO is asking you to provide.

Not every ATO enquiry will develop into a full audit.

What Information Can the ATO Ask You to Provide?

The information requested will depend on the reason for the review.

For example, if the ATO is examining work-related deductions, you may need to provide evidence showing that you incurred the expense and that the claim was calculated correctly.

Common supporting records can include:

• Receipts and invoices
• Bank or credit card records
• Employer documentation
• Travel records
• Vehicle records
• Mobile phone bills
• Home office calculations
• Work-related expense calculations
• Contracts or agreements
• Evidence that expenses were not reimbursed

For work-related deductions, the basic requirements are that you paid for the expense yourself, it was directly related to earning your income, and you have records to prove the expense. If an expense has both work and private components, generally only the work-related portion can be claimed.

Why Are Tax Deductions Sometimes Questioned?

Tax deductions reduce taxable income, so the ATO needs to be able to establish that claimed expenses meet the relevant requirements.

A large deduction is not necessarily an incorrect deduction. However, an unusually high claim compared with similar taxpayers may lead to additional questions.

This was demonstrated in a real ATO audit letter discussed by Latitude Accountants’ John Saade. The taxpayer, a management consultant, had claimed $36,911 in work-related expenses, compared with an average of approximately $2,178 for management consultants.

The difference alone did not prove the claim was incorrect. Instead, it highlighted why the ATO may want to see supporting evidence.

This is why keeping good records is essential even when you believe every deduction on your tax return is legitimate.

What Should You Do When You Receive an ATO Audit Letter?

1. Read the Letter Carefully

Start by identifying the tax year involved, the issues being reviewed and the documents or explanations requested.

Do not assume that the entire tax return is being questioned. The ATO may only be examining particular claims or transactions.

2. Check the Deadline

Pay close attention to the response date.

If the ATO has requested information by a specific date, make sure you understand what needs to be provided and whether you have enough time to prepare your response.

If you cannot meet the requirements or need clarification, contact the ATO or seek professional advice rather than simply ignoring the request.

3. Gather Your Supporting Records

Collect the documents relevant to each item being reviewed.

Organising your evidence according to the ATO’s questions can make the response easier to understand and help ensure that important information is not overlooked.

4. Review Your Tax Position

Before responding, check that the information you are providing supports the position taken in your tax return.

If you discover that an amount was claimed incorrectly, do not attempt to hide the mistake. Consider speaking with an accountant or registered tax professional about the appropriate way to address it.

What Happens If You Do Not Respond to the ATO?

Ignoring an ATO request can make an already stressful situation more complicated.

The ATO has information-gathering powers that can require taxpayers to provide information, answer questions, or produce documents. Failing to comply with certain formal requirements can have serious consequences.

Depending on the circumstances, the ATO may also amend your tax assessment if its review identifies an error.

Potential consequences can include:

• A reduction or removal of a deduction
• Additional tax becoming payable
• General interest charges
• Administrative penalties where applicable

The outcome will depend on the circumstances and the nature of the issue being reviewed.

How Long Should You Keep Your Tax Records?

Good record-keeping is one of the best ways to prepare for a potential ATO review.

For many work-related expenses, the ATO requires taxpayers to keep supporting records for five years from the date the tax return is lodged.

Records can generally be kept electronically, provided they remain accessible and contain the information needed to support your tax position.

You should consider retaining:

• Receipts and invoices
• Tax-related calculations
• Bank and financial records
• Vehicle and travel records
• Relevant correspondence
• Evidence supporting work-related use
• Documents relating to significant transactions

Good records can make it much easier to demonstrate how you arrived at the figures reported in your tax return.

Can an Accountant Help With an ATO Audit Letter?

Yes. Professional assistance can be particularly useful if the ATO is reviewing multiple deductions, significant amounts, or matters that you do not fully understand.

An experienced accountant can help you:

• Understand what the ATO is asking
• Review your tax return
• Identify relevant supporting documents
• Check deduction calculations
• Prepare a clear response
• Identify potential issues before responding
• Communicate with the ATO where appropriate

At Latitude Accountants, John Saade and the team provide practical accounting and taxation guidance to help individuals and businesses better understand their tax obligations.

Getting professional advice does not mean you have done something wrong. It can simply give you greater confidence that you understand the request and are responding appropriately.

How Can You Prepare for an ATO Review Before It Happens?

The best time to prepare for an ATO review is before receiving a letter.

Rather than trying to locate years-old receipts and reconstruct calculations under pressure, make record-keeping part of your normal tax routine.

Consider:

• Saving receipts electronically
• Keeping clear expense calculations
• Separating business and private expenses where appropriate
• Recording the business purpose of relevant expenses
• Maintaining vehicle and travel records
• Reviewing deductions before lodging your return
• Keeping tax records for the required period

The ATO’s myDeductions tool can also be used to store records such as receipts and invoices digitally.

Ultimately, strong documentation gives you evidence to support your tax position if the ATO asks questions later.

Frequently Asked Questions About ATO Audit Letters

Does an ATO audit letter mean I have done something wrong?

No. Being selected for a review or audit does not automatically mean you have done anything wrong. The ATO may simply want to verify particular information or claims.

What should I do first after receiving an ATO audit letter?

Read the letter carefully, identify exactly what is being reviewed and check the response deadline. Then gather the relevant supporting records before preparing your response.

Can the ATO ask for receipts and other documents?

Yes. Depending on the matter being reviewed, the ATO may request documents, explanations and other evidence supporting information reported in your tax return.

What happens if I cannot prove a tax deduction?

If you cannot provide sufficient evidence to support a deduction, the ATO may disallow or adjust the claim. This could result in additional tax being payable and potentially interest or penalties depending on the circumstances.

How long should I keep records for my tax deductions?

For many work-related expenses, records generally need to be kept for five years from the date you lodge your tax return. Some situations have different requirements, so it is important to consider the specific record-keeping rules that apply to you.

Should I get an accountant if I receive an ATO audit letter?

Professional advice can be helpful if you are unsure about the ATO’s request, have significant deductions under review or are concerned about whether your records adequately support your tax position.

Need Help With an ATO Audit or Your Tax Return?

Received an ATO audit letter or unsure whether your tax deductions are properly supported? Latitude Accountants can help you understand what the ATO is asking for, review your records, and guide you through the process.

Our experienced team provides practical accounting and taxation advice to help you stay compliant, prepare the right documentation, and respond to the ATO with confidence. Whether you need help with an audit, a tax return, or ongoing tax advice, we can provide clear guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.

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📞 1300 706 597
📧 info@latitudeaccountants.com.au

Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or business advice. You should obtain professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances.