Whistleblower claims ATO was ‘callous’ when taxpayer said he was ‘losing will to live’ over debts

Richard Boyle in late 2019. He alleges the ATO’s behaviour went ‘above and beyond common bad management practices’. Photograph: Kelly Barnes/AAP

Whistleblower Richard Boyle has alleged the Australian Taxation Office took a “callous” approach to taxpayers who expressed suicidal thoughts while being chased for debts.

Boyle has also alleged he was blocked from helping one individual who said they were “losing the will to live”, and in another instance was told by a senior employee they were “sick of taxpayers threatening suicide”.