POPULAR WORDS

Trucking operators will face extra scrutiny from the nation’s bean counters this year as part of a crackdown on fraudulent tax claims.

In a public warning issued at an accountancy forum in NSW last week, the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) Jennie Granger told attendees there would be a greater emphasis this year on truck drivers claiming work-related deductions.

According to Granger, truck drivers wrongly claim vehicle expenses for transporting tools, travel allowances they are not entitled to receive and reimbursement for mobile phone and internet use despite not having any records.

The ATO claims truck drivers may also lodge fraudulent claims to offset the impact the global economic downturn has had on them.

“We are concerned that the difficult times may tempt more people to inflate their claims,” Granger says.

“Deductions for work-related expenses are one of the largest categories of claims made in tax returns.”

Granger says the tax office will also focus on sales and marketing managers, sales representatives and electricians.