The Inspector-General of Taxation (IGT), Mr Ali Noroozi, on Wed 10.10.2012, announced details of his new work program aimed at further improving tax administration in Australia. The new IGT work program consists of the following 5 reviews:
- Review into aspects of the ATO’s use of compliance risk assessment tools.
- Review into the ATO’s administration of penalties.
- Review of the ATO’s management of transfer pricing matters.
- Review into aspects of the ATO’s compliance approaches to individual taxpayers.
- Review of the ATO’s interaction with the Australian Valuation Office.
Two further topics which received strong stakeholder support for inclusion in the work program were: (i) the ATO’s administration of the general anti-avoidance rules; and (ii) the ATO’s services and support for tax practitioners. While the IGT acknowledged the importance of both issues, having regard to recent developments in these areas, he said consideration will be given to conducting such reviews once the initial 5 reviews are completed.
Mr Noroozi said he would shortly undertake an analysis of the issues raised to refine the scope and focus of the reviews. Thereafter, he will formally commence each review by issuing specific terms of reference and submission guidelines.
Source: IGT press release, 10 October 2012
[LTN 196, 10/10]