If you receive a tax assessment, reassessment or decision from us that you want to dispute, we offer informal dispute resolution as well as formal processes involving lodging an objection and/or appeal.
We seek to resolve disputes as early as possible and at minimal cost to all parties, ideally through early communication and informal negotiations with you.
We do this by giving you further opportunities to provide additional information, clarify facts, or meet with us to discuss issues in an effort to clarify, narrow or resolve disputed matters. This can be initiated by either party as part of the formal objection and litigation processes.
We endeavour to take a balanced approach to informal dispute resolution. Where there are significant areas of disagreement, further discussions will not lead to a different outcome, or will most likely result in unnecessary delays and increased costs for both parties, we are unlikely to continue with the informal dispute resolution process.
The basis on which we resolve or settle a dispute will depend on the particular facts of the matter and the requirement that we apply the law in a consistent manner to those in similar circumstances.
While you are attempting to informally resolve issues with us, statutory timeframes will continue to run. So it is important that you exercise your statutory rights within the legislative timeframes.
If you want to discuss informal dispute resolution with us, please contact the officer dealing with your matter.
