You might notice that we haven’t issued a News Alert for about two weeks. That’s been for a very good reason. We’ve been involved in deep and complex negotiations with the Australian Taxation Office over the cancelled ABNs.
You might remember we highlighted this last on the 22nd November where we accused the ATO of being a Frozen Dinosaur—Cold. Lifeless. No connection to reality. Before that we said that The ATO thinks the earth is flat. Yes, that’s perhaps ‘over the top’ of us to refer to the ATO that way.
But we were pretty churned up with the way the 16 vulnerable workers had been treated. Their incomes had been chopped off and they were desperate. We told their stores here.
Happy news however! Their ABNs have been restored. Yeh!!!! It’s been a heck of a lot of work. And we wanted to wait until we were sure that restoration of the ABNs had actually happened before making comment. We’ll tell you the story in follow-up emails, but we’ve got some pretty pleased people. Sarah says the following:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t believe a few short months ago I didn’t even know you existed! After being self-employed for eight years and suddenly finding myself facing a battle with the ABR/ATO to retain my business, SEA, Ken Phillips and John Findley were my saviours! I can’t express how much they turned things around for me, knowing what to do and who to speak to and what was a just outcome! SEA is vital for small business to help “keep the bastards honest”.
Each of the women were members of Self-Employed Australia, which meant that we could jump to their defence. If we are to defend people effectively, they need to be a member.
It’s like house insurance. You’re only covered if you are insured before your house burns down.
More information soon.