It is the ATO but the ATO is acting in a very scammy scummy behaviour.
Expecting to just "believe" someone is who say they are "from the governtment,bank,police" etc in 2020 is insane.
Using the same tactics as scammers how do ATO employees expect people to receive these calls.
Anybody that rings a government agency on a non official callback number is an idiot, you could be literally talking to anyone in the world.

ATO employees should know better.
Call official listed numbers only people.

Caller: ATO

1300 661 508 is the real ATO. I didn't trust a recorded call from ATO (and never will) so I called ATO directly on 1800 008 540 with the reference number left in the message. Surprisingly, it was legit. The name of the person they had left the message for was an old employee who was still listed as a contact for my business on ABR. ATO updated that while I was on the phone. The call was about a late payment of the monthly PAYG for Dec 2019.

My husband got a call from a guy who claimed he was from ATO and asked my husband to call back with his tax file number and past 5 year tax return information, sounds odd

Caller: Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

This is an ATO phone number. I was just talking to the ATO (I'm a tax agent) and it was confirmed this is one of their numbers. If in doubt you can always ring the ATO on a phone number you have verified yourself, the ATO don't mind you doing this.

Received a call from a very unprofessional scammer like guy on a private number saying they’re the ATO and I haven’t lodged my tax for this year with them, he asked for my details including address to continue the call and I said I won’t be doing that. He then said ‘I’ll give you a clue, you’re in unit 4’..I found that very odd to be said by an ATO member so I then called him a dumbass etc he reacted like most scammers do defensive and arrogant..he then said I’ll receive a text message and hung up.
I then did receive a text from the REAL ATO quoting this number telling me to get in contact with them about overdues..very confused I called them.
This number IS THE REAL ATO, they confirmed it was them calling on a private number. They needed me to fill something out, unsure why the bloke was so odd and why he said I didn’t lodge..ATO need to sort their sh*t out I think.

Caller: it is actually the ato

1300 661 508 is actually the ato they are the lodgement department

Caller: Australian Taxation Office

I got a voicemail message with this 1300 number and a reference number. I know there are some ATO scams out there, so I google searched before calling back. Indeed it was legit. When I called up the number, I got an automated robot lady, and I keyed in my Tax File Number, then I got put straight through (within like 3 seconds) to a guy who said "Hello" and my name. Like others have said, scammers wouldn't have access to this info. Anyway they were just calling me to remind me that my BAS was overdue, which indeed it was.

Caller: ATO

This is definietly the Australian Taxation Office. Woman called and was fumbling with her words. She started to ask me questions to seek my personal details for verification. I asked her to verify herself. She gave me contact numbers and a reference number and her full name. I checked the ATO website and rang different numbers on their website. I gave them the confirmation number they gave me and yes the ATO confirmed they had called me.

Dont' think I trust this number!

Caller: Reckons there the ATO

Phoned back reckoned they were the ATO if it was I hope it was recorded as the women on the other end was so rude when asked questions.

Andrew Carlton
If you are so sure the 1300 661 508 number is a scam, perhaps you should do what was recommended to AR on March 21, 2019. You are incorrect. It is a valid number.

no its not mentioned any where on ATO's website . get off you piece of sh*t scammer

can see few people are saying this is BAS or xyz ATO's number no its not i have checked and confirmed from ATO. i reckon people who are comment in favour of this no are part of same group

I was so sure as i picked up the phone an indan guy who cant even pronounce english words properly sitting in india can hear and understand few words of their language from back side cant he ATO officer
If you aren't sure about the identity of someone claiming to be from the ATO, phone to ATO's Scams and identity theft 1800 008 540 between 8.00am–6.00pm, or find the general queries number on ato website or use the website live chat option . stay safe guys

Caller: 1300 661 508

definetly tax office, outstanding bas statements.

I called the ATO after receiving a message from 'The ATO" to call back within 48 hours on this number. They told me this is a scam. The actual ATO rep I spoke to couldn't find that phone number or the reference number left in the message on their system anywhere. He also had my name and TFN and nothing came up. So.....? He said it was good I called them on their main number first to check.

It's a real number. It's the compliance section of the ATO, the number isn't listed on the website as it is an outbound campaign number.

If any doubts call 1800 008 540 (switchboard) or 13 28 61 (Individuals) - both numbers are on the ATO website. Give them your details and ask them if anyone from the Debt Early Intervention called you.

This is a scam

definitely the ATO non lodgement / non compliance line.

Caller: ATO

Why would you write this when from most other responses this number is obviously legit?
Read other responses before reporting something as a scam. Saying scam over and over does not make you any more correct.
You are no better than a real scammer.

Caller: Tax department NSW

Scam Scam... as they called me with wrong name and when I checked in the real website, the number doesn't exist.
She asked the tax no and abn... Never.. giving away own information.