The ATO is inviting small business owners to apply to join its new small business consultation panel to help boost the agency’s small business expertise. Small business operators interested in applying must have an annual turnover of less than $2m and have at least 2 years experience running a business. However, taxation, consulting or accounting experience is not necessary. Further, the ATO said 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.
ATO Second Commissioner Neil Olesen said the panel will help the ATO to better understand the way small businesses interact with the organisation and other government agencies. He said the panel’s objective 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”.
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).
Source: ATO media release, 17 March 2014
[LTN 51, 17/3/14]