Ruth Owen, the Taxation Ombudsman is back on Small Firm, Big Impact to unpack the findings of the recent review into the ATO’s Registered Agent Phone Line. If you’ve ever faced long wait times, struggled to get the right advice, or wondered what’s being done to improve your experience as a registered agent, this conversation is for you. 

Ruth shares what the review uncovered, the recommendations made to the ATO, and how these changes could impact your day-to-day work. We also discuss the future of Online Services for Agents (OSfA), the importance of connecting with knowledgeable ATO staff, and how you can get involved in shaping the next round of improvements.  

Plus, get a sneak peek into the upcoming review of the ATO’s remission of general interest charge (GIC) - a hot topic for many agents. 

Tune in for practical insights, expert commentary, and resources to help you stay ahead in practice. 

*Update 4 December 2025: The Tax Ombudsman’s refreshed work plan FY25/26 (referenced at 18:55 in this episode) has been released with Compromised Accounts deferred and replaced with the ATO’s use of Director Penalty Notices.

Resources referred to in this episode: 
CA ANZ submission on ATO Registered Agent Phone Line 
Tax Ombudsman report on Registered Agent Phone Line 
Tax Ombudsman review of Online Services for Agents (review yet to commence) 
Tax Ombudsman review of ATO’s management of remission of the general interest charge (GIC) (submissions closed) 
CA ANZ submission to Tax Ombudsman’s review on remission of general interest charge 
CA ANZ submission on the draft ATO concessions framework 
CA ANZ response to Tax Ombudsman’s 2025-26 work plan (May 2025) 
CA ANZ submission to Tax Ombudsman’s 2026 workplan refresh (November 2025) 
Tax Ombudsman’s refreshed work plan FY25/26
Smaller Practices Centre 
Contact the podcast 
Small Firm, Big Impact podcast  

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-owen-cbe-gaicd-b4b1291/">Ruth Owen</a>, the Taxation Ombudsman is back on Small Firm, Big Impact to unpack the findings of the recent review into the ATO&rsquo;s Registered Agent Phone Line. If you&rsquo;ve ever faced long wait times, struggled to get the right advice, or wondered what&rsquo;s being done to improve your experience as a registered agent, this conversation is for you.&nbsp;
Ruth shares what the review uncovered, the recommendations made to the ATO, and how these changes could impact your day-to-day work. We also discuss the future of Online Services for Agents (OSfA), the importance of connecting with knowledgeable ATO staff, and how you can get involved in shaping the next round of improvements.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Plus, get a sneak peek into the upcoming review of the ATO&rsquo;s remission of general interest charge (GIC) - a hot topic for many agents.&nbsp;
Tune in for practical insights, expert commentary, and resources to help you stay ahead in practice.&nbsp;
*Update 4 December 2025: The Tax Ombudsman&rsquo;s refreshed work plan FY25/26 (referenced at 18:55 in this episode) has been released with Compromised Accounts deferred and replaced with the ATO&rsquo;s use of Director Penalty Notices.
Resources referred to in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/advocacy/policy-submissions/submission-to-tax-ombudsman-on-review-of-ato-agent-phone-line">CA ANZ submission on ATO Registered Agent Phone Line</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.taxombudsman.gov.au/reviews_reports/systemic-review-of-the-effectiveness-of-the-atos-registered-agent-phone-line/">Tax Ombudsman report on Registered Agent Phone Line</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.taxombudsman.gov.au/reviews_reports/review-ato-online-services-for-agents/">Tax Ombudsman review of Online Services for Agents</a> (review yet to commence)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.taxombudsman.gov.au/reviews_reports/atos-management-of-remission-of-the-general-interest-charge/">Tax Ombudsman review of ATO&rsquo;s management of remission of the general interest charge (GIC)</a> (submissions closed)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/technical/tax/tax-in-focus/submission-to-tax-ombudsmans-review-on-remission-of-general-interest-charge">CA ANZ submission to Tax Ombudsman&rsquo;s review on remission of general interest charge</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/advocacy/policy-submissions/submission-on-the-draft-ato-concessions-framework">CA ANZ submission on the draft ATO concessions framework</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/advocacy/policy-submissions/submission-on-tax-ombudsmans-2025-26-work-plan">CA ANZ response to Tax Ombudsman&rsquo;s 2025-26 work plan</a> (May 2025)&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/advocacy/policy-submissions/submission-to-tax-ombudsmans-2026-workplan-refresh">CA ANZ submission to Tax Ombudsman&rsquo;s 2026 workplan refresh</a> (November 2025)&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.taxombudsman.gov.au/publications/reviews-refreshed-work-plan-fy25-26/">Tax Ombudsman&rsquo;s refreshed work plan FY25/26</a></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/member-services/your-member-benefits/smaller-practices-centre">Smaller Practices Centre</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="10" data-aria-level="1"><a href="mailto:podcast@charteredaccountantsanz.com">Contact the podcast</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="11" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/podcasts/small-firm-big-impact">Small Firm, Big Impact</a> podcast&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

‘Small Firm, Big Impact’ is the podcast small and medium sized practices need right now. The latest series is full of factual and practical content from experts, giving chartered accountants, the up-to-date information they need to do their jobs. Each episode Chartered Accountants ANZ Public Affairs Manager Gillian Bowen will pick the brains of a range of people across the profession including CA ANZ experts as well as guests who know a thing or two about public practice.

‘Small Firm, Big Impact’ is the podcast small and medium sized practices need right now. The latest series is full of factual and practical content from experts, giving chartered accountants, the up-to-date information they need to do their jobs. Each episode Chartered Accountants ANZ Public Affairs Manager <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-bowen-7b310215b/" aria-label="Link Gillian Bowen">Gillian Bowen</a> will pick the brains of a range of people across the profession including CA ANZ experts as well as guests who know a thing or two about public practice.

Giving Chartered Accountants, the up-to-date information they need to do their jobs.

Small Firm, Big Impact

‘Small Firm, Big Impact’ is the podcast small and medium sized practices need right now. The series is full of factual and practical content from experts, giving chartered accountants the up-to-date information they need to do their jobs. Each episode Chartered Accountants ANZ Public Affairs Manager Gillian Bowen will pick the brains of a range of people across the profession including CA ANZ experts as well as guests who know a thing or two about public practice. Find out more about CA ANZ here. Disclaimer: The opinions and statements expressed in this podcast are provided for general information only are not intended to be legal, professional or financial advice, nor do they reflect the opinions of Chartered Accountants ANZ. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Chartered Accountants ANZ is not liable for any statement or opinion, or for any error or omission in this podcast, nor is it liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential losses or damages of any kind, or loss of profit, loss or corruption of data, business interruption or indirect costs, arising out of or in connection with this podcast or the information contained in it, whether such loss or damage arises in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, or otherwise.

‘Small Firm, Big Impact’ is the podcast small and medium sized practices need right now. The series is full of factual and practical content from experts, giving chartered accountants the up-to-date information they need to do their jobs. Each episode Chartered Accountants ANZ Public Affairs Manager <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-bowen-7b310215b/">Gillian Bowen</a> will pick the brains of a range of people across the profession including CA ANZ experts as well as guests who know a thing or two about public practice. Find out more about CA ANZ <a href="https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/">here</a>. Disclaimer: The opinions and statements expressed in this podcast are provided for general information only are not intended to be legal, professional or financial advice, nor do they reflect the opinions of Chartered Accountants ANZ. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Chartered Accountants ANZ is not liable for any statement or opinion, or for any error or omission in this podcast, nor is it liable for any direct, indirect, special or consequential losses or damages of any kind, or loss of profit, loss or corruption of data, business interruption or indirect costs, arising out of or in connection with this podcast or the information contained in it, whether such loss or damage arises in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, or otherwise.

What’s Next for the ATO Agent Phone Line?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a34d9ae1-e217-41ad-8f3d-aae30005ee78/clips/ef0dbce5-75dc-4f33-b64b-b3a8008588f0/transcript

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