Australian gov't chasing billions of dollars of unpaid tax from multinationals

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced it is chasing billions of dollars owned by some of the world's largest multinational companies, including information giant Google and tech company Apple.

With tax bills ranging from 190 million U.S. dollars up to 605 million U.S. dollars, the ATO said it has approached some of the world's most influential businesses to pay its fair share of tax in Australia, ahead of the federal budget to be handed down in May.

ATO Ddeputy commissioner Mark Konza told News Corp that Australians were frustrated by the lack of tax paid by billion-dollar businesses, adding the list of those who owed the ATO includes mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, as well as software and tech companies Microsoft, Google and Apple.

"My message to overseas is the Australian community is sick of companies that don't pay the right amount of tax in Australia. We've got the law and determination to do something about corporate tax avoidance," Konza said on Thursday.

"One thing Australians hate is when they see an overseas billing address, they smell a rat."

Meanwhile Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer said it was only fair that companies which bring their business to Australia pay their fair share of tax.

"Mums and dads pay tax, they can't avoid it and do it because they know their tax goes towards paying for hospitals, schools, roads, defence," O'Dwyer said.

"The Australian government will make sure that everyone pays the tax that they owe whether they're big multinationals or other individuals."

The minister said the government would have no qualms taking non-complying companies to the Federal Court if they refuse to pay their taxes.

"This is a very serious message being sent to multinational companies that they must pay the tax that is owed to the Australian people," she said.

Despite the warnings, some companies have responded negatively to the news; a spokesperson for BHP Billiton said they were "in discussions with the ATO" and did not rule out "initiating court action if necessary." Endit