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The ATO is auditing more clients than ever - are you protected?

14 July 2026
by Franc Marino
6-minute read

The ATO has significantly stepped up its compliance activity in 2026, using stronger data-matching, more frequent GST and BAS reviews, and closer scrutiny of superannuation and payroll obligations to identify discrepancies faster than ever before. The important thing to understand: you don’t need to have done anything wrong to be selected. Increasingly, audits are triggered by data-matching flags, industry benchmarking or simply random selection — not just red flags in a return.

Not sure if you’re covered against the cost of an ATO audit?

Ask your BG Private advisor about Audit Shield Protection.

What is Audit Shield Protection?

Audit Shield Protection covers the professional fees incurred when you need to respond to an audit, inquiry, review or examination from the ATO or another government revenue authority. It doesn’t stop an audit from happening — but it removes the financial sting of responding to one, covering the accounting and advisory fees that can otherwise add up quickly, even where no wrongdoing is found.

What’s covered

Audit Shield Protection policies typically respond to reviews and audits across a broad range of areas, including:

BAS and GST compliance
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
Income Tax, Land Tax and Payroll Tax
Record-keeping reviews
Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs)
Superannuation Guarantee and compliance
Workers Compensation / WorkCover

Cover generally extends to any lodged return where you’re compelled to respond or act — including returns from prior years, as long as the audit is instigated while your policy is active.

Why this matters now

Even a routine review can mean weeks of back-and-forth with the ATO — gathering records, preparing responses, and involving your accountant or advisor’s time. Those professional fees are payable regardless of the audit’s outcome, and they’re not something most people budget for. With Payday Super and tighter data-matching both landing in 2026, the ATO’s visibility into payroll, GST and super obligations is only increasing — which means more businesses and individuals are likely to receive a review letter, even when their affairs are in good order.

Timing matters

Audit Shield Protection can only respond to audits triggered while your policy is in place — you can’t take out cover after you’ve already received a letter from the ATO. If you’ve been thinking about it, the time to act is before, not after, you’re contacted.

What this means for you

Most BG Private clients may never face an ATO audit. But if you do, Audit Shield Protection means the professional fees to respond are covered — paid directly to your adviser, with no excess and no dispute over cost — so an audit becomes a manageable process rather than an unexpected expense.

An ATO letter doesn’t need to be navigated alone — and with the right protection in place, it doesn’t need to come with an unexpected bill either. Want to know more about Audit Shield Protection and whether it’s right for you? Read here for more details, review the current rates or contact your BG Private adviser today.

This article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. It should not be relied upon as financial, legal or tax advice. Please contact your BG Private advisor before making any decisions based on this information.

About the author

Franc Marino

Partner | Accounting & Business Advisory

Franc Marino has been a Partner at BG Private since 1995 and leads our Accounting & Business Advisory division, bringing more than 35 years' experience as a trusted tax and business adviser to privately-owned corporate groups and family businesses.