One-third of large Australian companies paid no tax, ATO data show

Around a third of large companies have failed to pay tax even when they made a profit, but the Tax Office says most have a good reasons under current the regime according to the latest tax transparency report released today.

Who's paying tax and who's not? Read here

Of the 2,109 entities monitored by the ATO in data covering 2017-17, 66 percent paid tax although the remainder did not as they claimed tax losses, concessions and bad economic performances that can go back several years.

"While the majority of entities in the corporate transparency population made profits and paid tax in relation to the 2016-17 year, some do not pay tax," the transparency report says.

"We look to understand the reason for tax losses or nil tax payable. Sensitivity to economic conditions, reinvestment back into the business .. tax deductions and tax offsets can all effect the amount to taxable income and tax payable."

The ATO says corporate entities paid total income tax of collected in the period lifted by 19 percent to $45.7 billion in the period which is a $7.5 billion on the prior period because of an additional 68 entities being taxed.