Complex language was one of the issues raised at the recent Tax Forum in Canberra.

According to the Australian Taxation Office, complaints about the complexity of language include “correspondence that is vague, not clearly explained and laden 
with jargon.”

We’ve probably all experienced this kind of information from the Tax Office at 
some point.

Interestingly, the Taxation Ombudsman, Allan Asher, said that more than one third of tax complaints are resolved through provision of a better explanation by the ATO or 
the Ombudsman.

Mr Asher said: “Complaints to my office indicate that what is required is a simpler, more accessible system, along with more streamlined and better resourced external scrutiny of tax administration.”

With an understanding of the diverse literacy needs of our community, the Information Access Group advocates for ‘information for everyone’. Mr Asher’s comments reflect a similar view:  “It is particularly important that the more vulnerable members of our community, such as those who are reliant upon income support, have the capacity to access and engage with the tax system.”

You can read more about the article on the Ombudsman's website.