The ATO on Thur 20.6.2013, released Practice Statement Law Administration PS LA 2013/2 which outlines the role and function of the ATO’s Economist Practice, when accredited economic advice should be obtained, and the process of obtaining both accredited and external economic advice for ATO personnel.
Broadly, the Practice Statement indicates that economists in the ATO provide applied economic advice both at the macro (eg risk assessment and case selection) and micro economic levels (eg analysis of taxpayers’ decision making). It says the Economist Practice is the central point of contact for economic advice in the ATO and among other things, provides input into legislative developments, external speeches and communications, and quality assurance processes.
The PS LA also provides the process for obtaining accredited economic advice for all ATO personnel within the organisation, as well the process for engaging external economist experts on compliance issues (which generally require the development of a business case).
[LTN 117, 20/6/13]