What to do if you receive a casino tax notice

Receiving a tax notice from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for casino-related transactions means that the tax authorities have recorded transactions or winnings that require clarification or taxation. The correct and timely response allows you to reduce the risk of fines and avoid additional problems.

Reasons for notification:
  • 1. Discrepancy between declared revenue and volume of casino transactions.
  • 2. Winnings abroad without being reflected in the declaration.
  • 3. Regular gambling profits perceived as business income.
  • 4. Signals from AUSTRAC about suspicious transactions.
  • 5. Large cash transactions without a confirmed source of funds.

Step-by-Step Actions When Notified:
  • 1. Read the document carefully

Determine the period and activities that raised questions.
Check the response times specified in the notification.

2. Collect all necessary documents

Bank and game account statements.
Receipts, checks, confirmations of deposits and withdrawals.
Documents confirming the origin of funds (salary, sale of property, inheritance, etc.).

3. Perform data reconciliation

Compare the information in the notification with your records.
Make sure there are no errors in amounts or dates.

4. Prepare an official response

Provide clear explanations for each operation specified by the ATO.
Attach copies of supporting documents.

5. If necessary - contact your tax advisor

The specialist will help you draw up the correct answer and protect your interests.
In case of difficult situations, it can represent your interests in the ATO.

6. Meet deadlines

An untimely response can lead to tax charges without taking into account your explanations, fines and penalties.

Possible consequences of ignoring the notification:
  • Automatic accrual of tax arrears.
  • Penalties for failure to provide information.
  • Enhanced checks in the future.

Prevention of such situations:
  • Keep records of all casino related transactions.
  • Declare taxable winnings.
  • Keep documents for at least 5 years.
  • Avoid transactions that are not documented.

Conclusion
A tax notice for casino transactions requires a careful and documented response. Prompt action, transparency and correct reporting will help avoid fines and additional checks by the ATO.