The Inspector-General of Taxation (IGT), Ali Noroozi, released his first edition (July 2017 edition) of his new newsletter – “IGoT News!“. This was on or about 13 July 2017.
The newsletter aims to more regularly inform the community of the IGT’s activities and what it is hearing from the community, particularly from the complaint handling service, which he describes as ‘flourishing’. This ‘complaints handling’ function is the ‘case by case’ complaints work, which he inherited from the Commonwealth ombudsman. This was sensibly combined with the IGoT’s traditional role in investigating ‘systemic’ deficiencies in our Tax Administration (as one informs the other). The combination of these two functions was a result of the consolidation/efficiency initiatives of the first Coalition Government.
Further, he notes: We have publicly released two significant reviews, announced a Work Program in January from which three reviews have been commenced and we have just announced a fourth review at the request of Senate Economics References Committee.
In addition to reviews and complaints, we have also:
• lodged submissions to Parliamentary inquiries into Taxpayer Engagement and unpaid Superannuation Guarantee;
• engaged with our international counterparts on taxpayer rights issues;
• engaged with local and regionally-based tax practitioners; and
• joined the International Ombudsman Institute.
Mr Noroozi said he may also issue special editions from time to time to advise of new or significant developments in the IGT’s work or the administration of the tax system more generally.
Edition 1 covers matters such as:
- the IGT’s review into the ATO’s fraud control management;
- other current IGT reviews, such as:
- the Future of the Tax Profession;
- the Pay As You Go Instalments (which came out of their ‘complaints’ function); and
- GST Refunds reviews (which was similarly borne of taxpayer complaints);
- the IGT complaints handling service. He notes that during the past (2016/17) financial year, he have received 2,251 complaints and closed 2,196 complaints.;
- taxpayer engagement. He notes that his office assisted the Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue with its Inquiry into Taxpayer Engagement with the Tax System through lodging a detailed submission as well as providing evidence at a public hearing;
- unpaid superannuation. He notes that his office’s review into the ATO’s approach to employer obligations compliance activities was recently released and is available on our website. Also his office assisted the Senate Economics References Committee in its inquiry into unpaid SG through written submission and evidence at a public hearing.
- taxpayer rights and protection. He notes that the report, of his office, on the Taxpayers’ Charter and taxpayer protections, examined a range of issues including the current framework for taxpayer rights in Australia. He also commissioned the UNSW report and engaged with our international counterparts by participating in the International Conference on Taxpayer Rights
- engaging with the tax profession. His office is happy to present to any tax practitioner discussion groups (by emailing them).
Those interested can subscribe to receive the newsletter.
[IGT website – First Edition; FJM; LTN 131, 13/7/17]