The ATO will this year focus on implementing its extensive transformation program, which includes simplifying its interaction and dealings with auditors, as well as reducing internal red tape.
During a panel discussion at the recent SMSF Association National Conference in Melbourne, ATO commissioner Chris Jordan revealed the tax office had embarked on a large program of work, called Reinventing the ATO, that was aimed at improving the overall experience for those who dealt with the ATO, whether in tax or superannuation.
“We’re looking at ways to reduce the burden of the annual independent audit by looking to see where we can remove unnecessary complexity and unnecessary scope,” Jordan said.
“Just recently, I did receive feedback from your association about ideas for auditor red tape reduction and we appreciate those suggestions.
“I’ve asked the deputy commissioner in charge of superannuation, Alison Lendon, to consider if and how we can implement some of those ideas.”
The ATO was also working with software developers who provided accounting and administration products to streamline those processes, he said.
“I also want to spend a lot of time trying to cut red tape, internally, within the ATO to make the process easier when we’re interacting with our clients and also to have a much more contemporary service offering, in other words, to make complying easier in a contemporary way,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of research and in the SMSF sector people want things to be easier, more streamlined, less time consuming and, in particular, more tailored to meet individual circumstances.”
The tax office was also exploring opportunities to expand the online services that were available to trustees so they could view and update their own ATO records, he said.
“Fundamental to this transformation is to try to improve the experience of people by designing for the majority of people who actually do the right thing and not for the minority who do not,” he said.
