Compliance program 2007-08

Our general approach

Effective tax administration depends on more than the efforts of the Tax Office. It relies in particular on a capable and well-regulated tax profession. We place a high priority on our relationship with tax practitioners, who play a crucial role in influencing levels of voluntary compliance. Supporting and influencing one tax practitioner means we can support and influence many taxpayers.

Central to our strategy for working with tax practitioners is enabling them to be increasingly self-sufficient through ease of access to authoritative information and advice, delivered electronically where possible.

We are working on ways to improve online information and transaction products, as well as direct access to our technical specialists. And in response to feedback from agents seeking better access to senior staff, we are piloting the appointment of senior tax officers who will consult and respond to tax practitioners on a regional basis.

We also aim to work closely with professional associations to meet the needs of the profession. For example, to review the effectiveness of the 2007-08 lodgment program, we formed a group comprising tax agents and professional associations and consulted with more than 130 individual agents. These reviews led directly to changes to our lodgment program for this year.

Sections within Tax practitioners

• Headline issues
• Our general approach
• Enhanced services
• A new regulatory framework
• Compliance and tax agent integrity
• Audit office reports improved relationship
• Deregistered tax agent jailed for income tax fraud
• Snapshot of our 2006-07 activities