Pressures of meeting financial obligations, particularly tax and super obligations, can contribute to mental health issues for small business owners.

“More and more small businesses are telling us that they are under stress. We understand that long hours, cash flow pressures, endless paperwork, staff issues and the blurring boundaries between work and family life can take a toll on mental health,” said ATO Deputy Commissioner Deborah Jenkins.

At a Small Business Mental Health roundtable chaired by Senator Michaelia Cash, Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education at Parliament House, Ms Jenkins said that the ATO is committed to working with government and community organisations to address the issue. 

“That’s why we are working together with organisations such as Beyond Blue, ASBFEO, small businesses and their associations as well as tax practitioners to develop initiatives to better support small business owners with their tax and super obligations when they are experiencing mental health issues.”

The ATO offers a range of support to businesses who are struggling, rolling out training for all frontline staff to assist them to better understand mental health issues and show empathy for taxpayers who are struggling. Nearly 6,000 staff have already undertaken the training.

The ATO has been making it easier for small businesses to negotiate and enter into payment plans needed. “In 2017–18, we negotiated 790,000 payment plans with small businesses,” Ms Jenkins said. “Payment plans allow small businesses to manage their tax debts and take the pressure off when other bills are due. But our primary focus in 2019 will be on early engagement and support before debts are due.”

The ATO website has information for people running small business who are experiencing mental health issues, as well as a small business live chat service and an after-hours call back service available from Monday to Thursday. 

More from The Business Conversation:

Why you don’t need the banks to help finance your business

New law tackles small business superannuation obligations

Entrepreneurs need to look after their personal wellbeing: KPMG Australia