Treasurer Scott Morrison's advisory panel on tax has urged big business and its industry bodies to mount a public relations campaign to "educate" Australians on why companies shouldn't always pay the mandatory 30 per cent tax rate.

The call for a PR blitz by the Board of Taxation comes as disclosure of Apple's tiny tax contribution in Australia - just $85 million compared to its sales of $8 billion - reignited debate around whether the big end of town is being let off the hook as the Coalition ponders a higher or broader GST on private taxpayers.

The Australian Tax Office revealed in December that 579 companies with combined turnover of $405.9 billion paid no tax in 2013/14. Apple could be heading for a zero tax bill in 2016 due to $200 million in tax offsets on its books which it can use against future profits.