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The Tax Office needs objective and independent information to understand what people think, feel and do in relation to our services, products, and education. The Tax Office undertake a wide range of research, including surveys, product testing and user research. The information available here includes the results of some of the research we've conducted recently.
Accessibility research
This research was conducted in order to better understand the issues facing taxpayers with a hearing or vision impairment when accessing taxation information.
Activity statement update newsletter 2011
We commissioned research to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Activity statement update publication for business operators and not-for-profit organisations.
Attitudes, perceptions and behaviour towards Capital Gains Tax
As part of the Income Tax Investment program, research was conducted in order to better understand the attitudes, perceptions and behavioural drivers regarding Capital Gains Tax.
Call Centre Satisfaction Survey Wave 4
The main aims of the call centre satisfaction survey were to ascertain clients' level of satisfaction in regards to the call experience, the Tax Office staff they dealt with, the information provided and the overall outcome.
Cash economy - small business benchmarks and record-keeping research 2011
In 2011 we commissioned independent research company, GfK Bluemoon, to conduct research to better understand the attitudes of registered tax and business activity statement agents, industry groups and small businesses towards Small business benchmarks and their business record-keeping obligations.
Compliance with income tax return lodgment obligations research
This research was conducted with micro businesses to gain a greater understanding of the factors that influence attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours relating to the lodgment of income tax returns.
Compliance with income tax return lodgment obligations research - Individuals qualitative study
The aim of this phase was to identify attitudes, perceptions and drivers relating to individual taxpayer income tax return lodgment behaviour.
Compliance with income tax return lodgment obligations research - Tax Agents and businesses quantitative study
The aim of this phase was to quantify the findings of the qualitative research undertaken in 2009.
Cost of Compliance Research 2011
We commissioned research to assess the effectiveness of the General Compliance Cost Model in estimating compliance costs of new tax measures.
Employee Share Scheme New Measures Research
The aim of this research was to better understand how aware employers, employees and intermediaries were of recent changes to eligibility to employee share schemes.
Exploring and improving Indigenous Australians' understanding of the taxation and superannuation systems 2011
We commissioned research to understand the best ways to communicate with Indigenous Australians so that they can make informed decisions in managing their tax and superannuation affairs.
Foreign sources of income research
The foreign sources of income research was conducted in order to understand the profile, attitudes, perceptions and behavioural drivers of micro businesses and individuals with Australian tax obligations arising from earning foreign income.
GST simplified accounting method research
We commissioned research to understand the current drivers for use of the GST simplified accounting method, how well it was meeting the needs of small business, and whether the provisions should continue to be administered in their present form.
GST voluntary compliance program research
We commissioned research to understand the attitudes and behaviours that drive compliance (or non-compliance) with GST obligations.
GST voluntary compliance program research - Phase 2 (2012)
We commissioned research to understand the attitudes and behaviours that drive compliance (or non-compliance) with GST obligations.
Integrated Service Offer research - Phase 2 concept testing
This second phase of the ISO research is designed to test concepts aligned with the Tax Office Communication Strategy 2007-10.
International tax benchmarking report 2011
The Australian Taxation Office has been working with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom to benchmark our performance across ten tax administration functions.
Legal Practitioner Services Survey 2008
Legal practitioners were asked to rate their satisfaction with a number of Tax Office services and products as well as indicate the effectiveness of the services and products.
Literature review: measuring compliance effectiveness 2007
The initial purpose of this literature review was to document some basic building blocks for developing a stronger compliance effectiveness measurement capability within the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Non-English Speaking Background Communications Research
Outlines the results of research conducted in order to better understand communication preferences and tax information needs among a number of key non-English speaking background (NESB) communities.
PAYG instalments: exploratory research 2011
We commissioned independent research company, Colmar Brunton Social Research, to conduct exploratory research to better understand the compliance experience of individual and business taxpayers and tax practitioners in relation of the PAYG instalments system.
Profiling the micro business segment report
This research was designed to provide a more detailed understanding of micro business communication/information needs and to explore, then benchmark measures of tax competency segmented by industry and business lifecycle.
Project Wickenby research
The aim of this research was to understand more about underlying attitudes and perceptions regarding taxation minimisation, avoidance and evasion as well as reactions to Project Wickenby.
Relationship with intermediaries research
A research study into the relationships between taxpayers and their intermediaries.
Reporting on GST on property transactions
The ATO commissioned research with tax agents and industry leaders to understand the issues currently facing tax agents reporting property transactions, and identify ways the ATO could assist compliance.
Review of the service delivery offer to large businesses 2011
We commissioned independent research company, the Andrews Group, to conduct research with large businesses to provide a clear understanding of the use and effectiveness of the services we provide to large businesses rated as low to medium risk.
Superannuation reforms research
An independent research company has undertaken comprehensive research about the super reforms. Eleven reports have been prepared and can be accessed here.
Targeting tax crime e-magazine evaluation research 2011
We commissioned this research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Targeting tax crime - a whole of government approach e-magazine (March 2011 edition) with a particular focus on ways to increase readership and engagement with the magazine.
Tax Crime eMagazine development and evaluation
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of communications in raising awareness levels of tax evasion, avoidance and crime in the community and with intermediaries.
Tax evasion, avoidance and crime research
The aim of the research was to identify what would deter or encourage particular behaviours in high risk segments in the general community and intermediaries.
Taxpayers' charter research
Review of the Taxpayers' charter research 2005.
Tracking the Individuals Segment Survey 2009
The ATO commissioned Colmar Brunton Social Research to conduct tracking against baseline measures collected June - July 2006.
Understanding paper lodgers 2011
We commissioned this research to identify opportunities to help those taxpayers who lodge their tax returns on paper to move to online lodgment.
Understanding preventative, facilitative and punitive payment measures for micro businesses
The Tax Office wanted to seek the views of micro businesses as to how they behave in response to various payment products and how they view existing and some potentially new payment products.
Understanding the Small and Medium Enterprise market
The ATO commissioned research to understand the issues facing the Small and Medium Enterprise market.
ATO Professionalism Survey May 2012
We commissioned independent research company, DBM Consultants to conduct the most recent wave of the ATO Professionalism survey with members of the community who had contact with us in the period 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011.
Call Centre Satisfaction Survey July 2011-June 2012
The ATO commissioned the Call Centre Satisfaction Survey to ascertain clients' level of satisfaction in regards to the call experience, the Tax Office staff they dealt with, the information provided and the overall outcome.
Community perceptions survey - June 2012
This research is part of an ongoing program of research that seeks to gauge current community perceptions and compares findings to those from previous years.
Micro business perceptions survey - June 2012
This survey was commissioned to monitor micro business perceptions of the ATO, its administration of the tax system and other related issues such as superannuation and compliance.
Small and Medium Enterprises Perceptions Survey 2012
Each year we commission independent research to monitor the small and medium enterprise market's perceptions of the ATO and its administration of the tax and superannuation systems.
Tax practitioner research
The ATO has conducted research with tax practitioners since 2003. The purpose of this research is to understand tax practitioners, their situation, and how to more appropriately engage with them as well as to understand awareness, usage and satisfaction with available products and services.
Current registered ATO research
Find out about our current research projects and if the research you have been asked to participate in is legitimate ATO research.
Tax Office research and you fact sheet
The Tax Office needs objective and independent information to understand what people think, feel and do in relation to our services, products and education.
Accessibility research
This research was conducted in order to better understand the issues facing taxpayers with a hearing or vision impairment when accessing taxation information.
Activity statement update newsletter 2011
We commissioned research to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Activity statement update publication for business operators and not-for-profit organisations.
ATO Professionalism Survey May 2012
We commissioned independent research company, DBM Consultants to conduct the most recent wave of the ATO Professionalism survey with members of the community who had contact with us in the period 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011.
Attitudes, perceptions and behaviour towards Capital Gains Tax
As part of the Income Tax Investment program, research was conducted in order to better understand the attitudes, perceptions and behavioural drivers regarding Capital Gains Tax.
Call Centre Satisfaction Survey July 2011-June 2012
The ATO commissioned the Call Centre Satisfaction Survey to ascertain clients' level of satisfaction in regards to the call experience, the Tax Office staff they dealt with, the information provided and the overall outcome.
Call Centre Satisfaction Survey Wave 4
The main aims of the call centre satisfaction survey were to ascertain clients' level of satisfaction in regards to the call experience, the Tax Office staff they dealt with, the information provided and the overall outcome.
Cash economy - small business benchmarks and record-keeping research 2011
In 2011 we commissioned independent research company, GfK Bluemoon, to conduct research to better understand the attitudes of registered tax and business activity statement agents, industry groups and small businesses towards Small business benchmarks and their business record-keeping obligations.
Community perceptions survey - June 2012
This research is part of an ongoing program of research that seeks to gauge current community perceptions and compares findings to those from previous years.
Compliance with income tax return lodgment obligations research
This research was conducted with micro businesses to gain a greater understanding of the factors that influence attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours relating to the lodgment of income tax returns.
Compliance with income tax return lodgment obligations research - Individuals qualitative study
The aim of this phase was to identify attitudes, perceptions and drivers relating to individual taxpayer income tax return lodgment behaviour.
Compliance with income tax return lodgment obligations research - Tax Agents and businesses quantitative study
The aim of this phase was to quantify the findings of the qualitative research undertaken in 2009.
Cost of Compliance Research 2011
We commissioned research to assess the effectiveness of the General Compliance Cost Model in estimating compliance costs of new tax measures.
Current registered ATO research
Find out about our current research projects and if the research you have been asked to participate in is legitimate ATO research.
Employee Share Scheme New Measures Research
The aim of this research was to better understand how aware employers, employees and intermediaries were of recent changes to eligibility to employee share schemes.
Exploring and improving Indigenous Australians' understanding of the taxation and superannuation systems 2011
We commissioned research to understand the best ways to communicate with Indigenous Australians so that they can make informed decisions in managing their tax and superannuation affairs.
Foreign sources of income research
The foreign sources of income research was conducted in order to understand the profile, attitudes, perceptions and behavioural drivers of micro businesses and individuals with Australian tax obligations arising from earning foreign income.
GST simplified accounting method research
We commissioned research to understand the current drivers for use of the GST simplified accounting method, how well it was meeting the needs of small business, and whether the provisions should continue to be administered in their present form.
GST voluntary compliance program research
We commissioned research to understand the attitudes and behaviours that drive compliance (or non-compliance) with GST obligations.
GST voluntary compliance program research - Phase 2 (2012)
We commissioned research to understand the attitudes and behaviours that drive compliance (or non-compliance) with GST obligations.
Integrated Service Offer research - Phase 2 concept testing
This second phase of the ISO research is designed to test concepts aligned with the Tax Office Communication Strategy 2007-10.
International tax benchmarking report 2011
The Australian Taxation Office has been working with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom to benchmark our performance across ten tax administration functions.
Legal Practitioner Services Survey 2008
Legal practitioners were asked to rate their satisfaction with a number of Tax Office services and products as well as indicate the effectiveness of the services and products.
Literature review: measuring compliance effectiveness 2007
The initial purpose of this literature review was to document some basic building blocks for developing a stronger compliance effectiveness measurement capability within the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Micro business perceptions survey - June 2012
This survey was commissioned to monitor micro business perceptions of the ATO, its administration of the tax system and other related issues such as superannuation and compliance.
Non-English Speaking Background Communications Research
Outlines the results of research conducted in order to better understand communication preferences and tax information needs among a number of key non-English speaking background (NESB) communities.
PAYG instalments: exploratory research 2011
We commissioned independent research company, Colmar Brunton Social Research, to conduct exploratory research to better understand the compliance experience of individual and business taxpayers and tax practitioners in relation of the PAYG instalments system.
Profiling the micro business segment report
This research was designed to provide a more detailed understanding of micro business communication/information needs and to explore, then benchmark measures of tax competency segmented by industry and business lifecycle.
Project Wickenby research
The aim of this research was to understand more about underlying attitudes and perceptions regarding taxation minimisation, avoidance and evasion as well as reactions to Project Wickenby.
Relationship with intermediaries research
A research study into the relationships between taxpayers and their intermediaries.
Reporting on GST on property transactions
The ATO commissioned research with tax agents and industry leaders to understand the issues currently facing tax agents reporting property transactions, and identify ways the ATO could assist compliance.
Review of the service delivery offer to large businesses 2011
We commissioned independent research company, the Andrews Group, to conduct research with large businesses to provide a clear understanding of the use and effectiveness of the services we provide to large businesses rated as low to medium risk.
Small and Medium Enterprises Perceptions Survey 2012
Each year we commission independent research to monitor the small and medium enterprise market's perceptions of the ATO and its administration of the tax and superannuation systems.
Superannuation reforms research
An independent research company has undertaken comprehensive research about the super reforms. Eleven reports have been prepared and can be accessed here.
Targeting tax crime e-magazine evaluation research 2011
We commissioned this research to evaluate the effectiveness of the Targeting tax crime - a whole of government approach e-magazine (March 2011 edition) with a particular focus on ways to increase readership and engagement with the magazine.
Tax Crime eMagazine development and evaluation
The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of communications in raising awareness levels of tax evasion, avoidance and crime in the community and with intermediaries.
Tax evasion, avoidance and crime research
The aim of the research was to identify what would deter or encourage particular behaviours in high risk segments in the general community and intermediaries.
Tax Office research and you fact sheet
The Tax Office needs objective and independent information to understand what people think, feel and do in relation to our services, products and education.
Tax practitioner research
The ATO has conducted research with tax practitioners since 2003. The purpose of this research is to understand tax practitioners, their situation, and how to more appropriately engage with them as well as to understand awareness, usage and satisfaction with available products and services.
Taxpayers' charter research
Review of the Taxpayers' charter research 2005.
Tracking the Individuals Segment Survey 2009
The ATO commissioned Colmar Brunton Social Research to conduct tracking against baseline measures collected June - July 2006.
Understanding paper lodgers 2011
We commissioned this research to identify opportunities to help those taxpayers who lodge their tax returns on paper to move to online lodgment.
Understanding preventative, facilitative and punitive payment measures for micro businesses
The Tax Office wanted to seek the views of micro businesses as to how they behave in response to various payment products and how they view existing and some potentially new payment products.
Understanding the Small and Medium Enterprise market
The ATO commissioned research to understand the issues facing the Small and Medium Enterprise market.
 
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