ATO Data Matching Program

Details of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) new data matching program regarding visa holders has been released.

The ATO will gather information from the Department of Home Affairs (previously the Department of Immigration and Border Protection) for visas granted in the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2020. It is estimated that the total number of records that will be obtained across this period will likely exceed 20 million (compared to the last data matching program which targeted approximately 1 million records).

The ATO have advised this data matching program will ensure taxpayers within this population of visa holders, visa sponsors and migration agents are:

• Completing correct income tax returns and business activity statements;
• Meeting their registration, lodgement, reporting and payment obligations for pay as you go withholding, fringe benefits tax and superannuation guarantee; and
• Correctly managing and meeting their taxation and superannuation obligations.

The following information will be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs for the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-2020 financial years:

• Base population cohort of active visa holders that have been granted one or more visas and stayed in Australia for any part of or the whole focus period
• Address history for visa applicants and sponsors
• Contact history for visa applicants and sponsors
• All visa grants
• Visa grant status by point in time
• Migration agents (visa application preparer who assisted or facilitated the processing of the visa)
• Address history for migration agents
• Contact history for migration agents
• All international travel movements undertaken by visa holders (arrivals and departures)
• Sponsor details (457 visa)
• Education providers (educational institution where the student visa holder intends to undertake their study)
• Visa subclass name

How Does This Affect You?

Employers should consider conducting an internal audit of their visa holders (which should include business travellers) and SIRVA Immigration can assist you with this.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute legal advice. For more detailed and case specific information or advice, please contact the visa team at SIRVA Relocation on +61 3 8696 3400 or visainbox@sirva.com.au

[Maria Hrambanis LLB BCom, Manager - Visa & Immigration (MARN 1067049)]