The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) established a data task force in late 2016 and they could be going through your business's tax return with a fine tooth comb as you read. It may sound like the plot of a low budget TV show where the ATO has taken over the world, but it's real and it's happening right now.

They've been called the data doctors by the media, which is an ominous name to say the least. What does this new task force mean for your tax return? And what exactly do these guys do?

What are the 'doctors' up to?

The data doctors are in charge of sifting through billions of pieces of tax data to find returns that raise red flags. By discovering details that are inconsistent with the norm, they can identify tax frauds, or mistakes and quickly report them.

Standing out from the crowd's not a good thing when it comes to your tax returns.Standing out from the crowd's not a good thing when it comes to your tax returns.

Graham Whyte, assistant commissioner of marketing and communications at the ATO commented on the team to Business Insider on 15 November 2016: 

"They are highly qualified with doctorates in data mining and machine learning. It's like coding what

[private] investigators may have done in the past. It's turning it into technology. And what that means is that it can cover a lot."

Once they've discovered inconsistencies, they don't stop there either. Reports say that they'll investigate the rest of your online footprint—from your Facebook account to any other evidence of your lifestyle. If you're declaring next to nothing in your business tax return, then posting photos of lavish, champagne drenched office Christmas parties then be warned, they may have their eyes on you.

Get professional help for accurate and timely tax returns

"They are highly qualified with doctorates in data mining and machine learning."

While honest mistakes in your tax return won't be penalised, they could draw extra attention from the ATO, and that's rarely a good thing. With the help of a registered tax advisor, you won't miss a beat with your business's tax and you certainly won't get into hot water with the data doctors. The right accountant can also make sure that you pay the right amount of tax and not a dollar more, protecting your all important cash flow.

Accountants Australia have been filing tax returns and advising business clients big and small for over a decade now, and we'd love to help you in the near future.

Get in touch today.