ATO to crackdown on super-dodging micro employers

The Australian Taxation Office is expecting 12,500 complaints this year about micro employers failing to pay employees' superannuation, amid proposed laws to crack down on the issue.

It's been revealed the ATO receives around 18,000 complaints a year about unpaid super, about 70% of which relate to micro enterprises; businesses turning over less than $2 million a year.

In 2011, the ATO pursued 10,000 cases involving micro employers failing to pay superannuation, reclaiming $152 million as a result.

This year, the tax office expects to handle 12,500 complaints about micro employers failing to pay employees' superannuation. The issue is listed among its compliance focus areas.

Despite difficult market conditions – namely in retail and manufacturing – employers are being urged not to defer superannuation payments due to the huge penalties and looming new laws.

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