The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue has today presented its report titled 2018-19 Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report. The report focuses on matters arising over the 2018-19 financial year with further insights on the taxation system more broadly.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 26 October 2021

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue has today presented its report titled 2018-19 Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report. The report focuses on matters arising over the 2018-19 financial year with further insights on the taxation system more broadly. In its report, the Committee makes 19 recommendations to deliver better services to taxpayers and improve the efficiency of the administration of Australia’s tax system. Based on the needs of the Australian tax system, the Committee recommends upgrading the Inspector General of Taxation to an office based on the ‘Taxpayer Advocate,’ as developed in the United States of America. The Committee’s recommendations also include proposed amendments to legislation that provides taxpayers with protections when dealing with debts; specifically, to ensure that a debt is not payable until a final determination is made by a relevant dispute body or court.   Further, the Committee advocates for the use of blockchain and other leading technologies to optimise the use of the Australian Business Register and minimise any ongoing costs of maintaining it. In relation to reporting, the Committee recommends that the Australian Taxation Office provide more detailed reporting for each financial year to reflect both the number of complaints, feedback and compliments received, as well as the complaints resolved within the relevant timeframes. Committee Chair, Mr Jason Falinski MP, states - ‘I believe this report to be a very important contribution to tax administration in Australia. It highlights a number of legislative frameworks that the government should change in order to provide taxpayers with better service.’ Mr Falinski goes on to say ‘the Australian Taxation Office has undertaken considerable reform and restructuring recently and is staffed by experienced and dedicated people who are to be congratulated for having got us through the economic chasm of COVID. However, some if its functions have been neglected, and moreover, there is considerable expertise in this country, human and technological, waiting to be deployed in many areas of taxation. We encourage urgent intent in this area to get ahead of the global curve.’ A full copy of the Committee’s report can be found on the inquiry’s website. Media enquiries Mr Jason Falinski MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue Jason.Falinski.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 2324 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4821 TaxRev.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button on the right side of the page.

The House of Representatives Committee on Tax and Revenue will be holding a public hearing for its inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 5 August 2020

The House of Representatives Committee on Tax and Revenue will be holding a public hearing for its inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19.   The Committee is pleased to hear from Ms Nina E. Olson, Executive Director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former United States Taxpayer Advocate, who will offer a valuable international perspective on tax administration. Chair of the Committee, Mr Jason Falinski MP, said the Committee is interested to learn more about the taxation system of the United States and the ways in which the United States Internal Revenue Service assists vulnerable taxpayers.   ‘The Committee has a strong interest in taxpayer engagement with the tax system and ensuring that people with low tax literacy or vulnerable taxpayers are not unfairly treated in a complex system of self-assessment. We look forward to hearing about the approach of the United States and the Taxpayer Advocate in this regard,’ Mr Falinski said. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 13 August 2020 Time: 8.00 am to 9.00 am Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra (via video/teleconference) The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Mr Jason Falinski MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue Jason.Falinski.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 2324 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4821 TaxRev.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website www.aph.gov.au/taxrev. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Committee on Tax and Revenue will be holding a public hearing for its inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19.

Media release issue date: Monday, 22 June 2020

The House of Representatives Committee on Tax and Revenue will be holding a public hearing for its inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19. Chair of the Committee, Mr Jason Falinski MP, said the Committee is interested to hear from a number of professionals and academics from the tax sector about their experiences in dealing with the Australian Tax Office (ATO). ‘The Committee has a long-standing and productive relationship with the ATO and it looks forward to exploring its operations in more detail,’ Mr Falinski said. ‘In previous inquiries, the Committee has made a number of recommendations to the ATO about ways to improve its processes and practices and we look forward to hearing how things have progressed over the last two years.’ Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Friday, 26 June 2020 Time: 9.30am to 12.00 noon Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra (via video/teleconference) The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Mr Jason Falinski MP Jason.Falinski.MP@aph.gov.au (02) 6277 2324 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4821 TaxRev.Reps@aph.gov.au

The Australian Parliament’s Tax and Revenue Committee has launched an inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 11 March 2020

The Australian Parliament’s Tax and Revenue Committee has launched an inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19. As Australia’s principal revenue collection body, the annual report is a key mechanism for the ATO’s accountability to the Government and the Australian community. The 2018-19 annual report is the most recently tabled annual report from the Commissioner of Taxation. Mr Jason Falinski, Chair of the Committee, stated, ‘This inquiry provides an opportunity for the committee to continue ongoing monitoring of the operations of the Australian Taxation Office and its interaction with the Australian community.’ Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Friday, 17 April 2020. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the inquiry including the terms of reference is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Public hearings for the inquiry will be held in due course and notified through the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Jason Falinski MP Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue Jason.Falinski.MP@aph.gov.au  (02) 6277 2324 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4821 TaxRev.Reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.