Does the ATO leave voicemails?

What a real ATO voicemail is like

The ATO does not publish a strict policy on voicemail, so the safe approach is to judge the message by its content. A genuine message is brief, from a named person, and asks you to call back. It does not tell you why in detail, because the ATO cannot discuss your tax affairs until it has confirmed your identity. The call-back number will be one you can find on ato.gov.au, such as 13 11 42, or one of the ATO's payment support lines that it gives to people it has already contacted.

Because ATO calls show No Caller ID, you will not be able to ring back the number that called. That is expected. Our page on private number calls from the ATO explains why.

If your debt has been referred to recoveriescorp, you may get a voicemail from the agency instead, which can be genuine too. The ATO publishes 1300 323 495 as the number for that agency. See how ATO debt collectors work.

The scam voicemail, and how to spot it

The classic version is a recorded voice saying there is a warrant for your arrest, a lawsuit against you, or that your tax file number has been suspended, and that you must call a mobile or 1800 number immediately. Every part of that fails the ATO's own tests:

• The ATO says it does not make unsolicited robocalls. A recorded message is a scam.
• The ATO says it will never threaten arrest or threaten to cancel your TFN.
• Real ATO pressure builds in writing through the stages on our ATO letters guide, never through a single voicemail.
• Genuine call-back numbers are the published 13 and 1300 lines, not a mobile.

Other tells: the message names no officer, gets your name wrong or does not use it at all, gives a deadline of hours, or says you must not speak to anyone else. Delete it, or report it on 1800 008 540 if you want the number logged.

What to do after a voicemail

1. Do not call the number in the message unless it matches a number on ato.gov.au.
2. Log in to ATO online services through myGov by typing the address. Look for an overdue amount, an unlodged return or BAS, or a new letter in your inbox. A real call-back request nearly always has a matching item there.
3. If there is something on your account, call 13 11 42 and say you are returning a call. If there is nothing, report the message on 1800 008 540.

If the message was genuine, returning the call promptly is in your interest. The ATO treats contact as engagement, and engagement is what keeps a debt at the reminder stage rather than moving to a garnishee or a director penalty notice. What to say when you call the ATO gives you a script, and if you cannot pay in full, a payment plan can usually be set up on the same call.

What to do next

1. Do not ring back a number from the message unless it appears on ato.gov.au.
2. Log in to myGov and check for a debt, unlodged return or new letter that explains the call.
3. Return a genuine call on 13 11 42, or report a fake one on 1800 008 540.

More questions: 11 Calls, texts, letters and scams questions answered · Full guide: ATO letters & notices