The Tax Ombudsman is calling for feedback on a draft workplan that sets out 10 possible tax administration issues for systemic review, including early release of super, the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) and the Tax Practitioners Board’s (TPB) management of complaints and alleged breaches.
“Our systemic reviews help to shine a light on system-wide tax and super administration problems and recommend practical improvements to benefit the whole community,” Tax Ombudsman Ruth Owen said.
Owen pointed out feedback is essential to choosing the right focus for the reviews, which are undertaken four times a year.
“[We] want to focus our efforts on the issues that matter most to taxpayers, tax practitioners and the broader community,” she explained.
According to Owen, a review of the early release of super would examine the ATO’s processes for determining early access applications, as well as its efforts to combat inappropriate access to super.
In addition, she indicated a review that looked at the FHSSS would look at the regulator’s practices for receiving and approving applications for the scheme, its governance of it and guidance provided about it.
Another item for assessment is the TPB’s management of complaints and alleged breaches of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA), which would consider whether the board’s processes and systems support appropriate, consistent and transparent management of complaints and allegations of TASA breaches.
Also on the list is the ATO’s management of deceased estates and the regulator’s consultation arrangements.
Taxpayers, tax practitioners and community organisations can have their say via a short survey on the ombudsman’s website until 29 September.
“Where topics are not selected for a review, we may look to undertake a short project, consultation or produce a discussion paper on matters of importance to the community. These activities would not include formal recommendations to the ATO, but would be made publicly available and help keep these matters in focus,” Owen revealed.
