ATO GIC remission: why decisions vary and what to do
Understand how GIC remission decisions are made, why outcomes vary, and what small firms can do to better support clients facing rising interest.
GIC is becoming a more significant issue for many clients, particularly as interest compounds and debts take longer to repay. For practitioners, understanding how remission works, and why outcomes can vary, is increasingly important.
In this episode of Small Firm, Big Impact, host Lisa Lintern is joined by Ruth Owen, Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman, to unpack how the ATO approaches GIC remission and the findings from a recent review.
The conversation explores why practitioners are seeing inconsistent outcomes, including the role of unclear guidance and the number of decision-makers involved. It also highlights the real impact on clients, particularly those trying to meet their obligations but falling behind as interest continues to accrue.
Importantly, this episode provides practical guidance for firms. This includes when to consider applying for remission, how to approach requests more effectively, and what options are available if a request is declined.
Recent changes by the ATO are also discussed, including updates to guidance and the introduction of more centralised decision-making. These changes aim to improve consistency, but their impact will continue to evolve.
For smaller practices, this episode offers clear, actionable insight into how to better navigate GIC remission and support clients managing tax debt.
“Guidance can be vague, so decisions can vary significantly.”
Key resources:
- CA ANZ submission on GIC remission
- Tax Ombudsman review into GIC remission
- ATO changes to GIC remission (January 2026)
Explore more resources:
Further support and related content
- Visit the Smaller Practices Centre
- CA ANZ tax advocacy updates
- Listen to Small Firm, Big Impact Express
Contact the Small firm, Big Impact team at [email protected] or the CA ANZ Tax team at [email protected]
