Taxpayers still guilty until proven innocent: government

By Nassim Khadem
Updated January 12 2016 - 6:08pm, first published 5:30pm
The federal government has dismissed the inquiry's recommendation that the onus should be on the ATO to prove an accused taxpayer is guilty.
The federal government has dismissed the inquiry's recommendation that the onus should be on the ATO to prove an accused taxpayer is guilty.
Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan with Treasurer Scott Morrison. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan with Treasurer Scott Morrison. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
The government said that a shift in the burden of proof would be "counter-productive" and could result in "sham behaviour" by taxpayers associated with fraud and evasion. Photo: Andrew Quilty
The government said that a shift in the burden of proof would be "counter-productive" and could result in "sham behaviour" by taxpayers associated with fraud and evasion. Photo: Andrew Quilty

Small business and individual taxpayers hit with hefty tax bills that they want to dispute will continue to be held guilty until proven innocent, and the Australian Taxation Office won't have its appeals and compliance functions split under a separate commissioner, the federal government has said.