How much debt is owed to the ATO?

As of September 2023, the tax debt owed to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) stands at approximately $50.2 billion. However, small business collectible tax debt accounts for approximatley $33 billion of that total. Notably, the ATO’s collectible debt has increased from $12 billion in the 2019/2020 year. This growth in debt owed to the ATO can be attributed to two significant factors:

1. Businesses Falling Behind During COVID Lockdowns: Many businesses faced financial challenges during pandemic-related lockdowns, impacting their ability to meet tax commitments.
2. ATO’s Temporary Hold on Tax Collection Activities: In response to the pandemic, the ATO temporarily suspended some tax collection activities, which contributed to the accumulation of debt.

https://www.smh.com.au/money/tax/ato-urges-small-business-to-come-clean-on-30-billion-of-debt-20230608-p5df5g.html