Appendix 3 - Chronology of Tax Office Action on Aggressive Tax Planning

1997 Calendar Year

• Consultative document and draft ruling on afforestation schemes that also considers characteristics of unacceptable schemes issued.
• Processing of certain scheme related tax instalment deduction variations stopped.
• Position papers on over ten schemes issued.

1998 Calendar Year

• Withdrawal of previous tax instalment deduction variations.
• Five position papers issued to a range of promoters.
• Over 10,000 letters sent to investors in over ten schemes.
• Several hundred refunds stopped for participants in one scheme.
• Four quite pointed speeches were given and received extensive coverage.
• Product ruling system introduced.
• Draft ruling on FBT and employee benefit arrangements issued.

1999 Calendar Year

• Over 8000 letters sent to investors to cover 50 schemes.
• Five media releases making our position clear on a wide range of schemes.
• Final ruling on FBT and employee benefit arrangements issued.
• A further pointed speech made and announcement of engagement of high level expertise to support an integrated litigation strategy.

2000 Calendar Year

• Final ruling on investment schemes issued.
• A further speech made outlining variations of earlier schemes.
• Over 9000 letters sent to investors in over 20 schemes.

In addition assessments to almost 18,000 participants in mass-marketed schemes have been issued to date.

Source: ATO Submission No. 845, Attachment A, November 2000.

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