More than 50,000 taxpayers are ghosting the ATO

Small business and individuals with tax debts will collectively face a further $500 million a year in pain when interest rate rules that come into effect from July 2025 dramatically increase the cost of owing money to the Australian Tax Office.

Amid changes to the general interest charge and shortfall interest charge rates, the federal government has about 50,000 “disengaged” taxpayers with debts of more than $100,000 in its sights.