Purpose
Terms of reference
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers the federal tax system that operates for the benefit of the community. Both the ATO and taxpayers play important roles in the operation of the tax system.
The ATO recognises the value of listening to the community and places considerable emphasis on the need to work closely with its clients. Part of the organisational focus of the ATO includes embedding the fundamentals of collaboration, consultation and co-design into all our interactions with the community. This involves fostering partnerships with representatives of the community to develop and implement policy in a manner that meets the expectations of both the community and the government.
The Charities Consultative Committee (CCC) comprises senior representatives of the charities sector, senior representatives of the ATO and a representative from Treasury. The forum allows the charities sector to share issues peculiar to their sector, and encourages dialogue on taxation issues of concern with senior executives of the ATO.
Type of forum and length of term
The forum is an external forum encouraging dialogue with the charities sector about taxation issues affecting them. It aims to provide certainty and clarity to the sector by working through taxation issues of concern to the sector.
The forum was established in August 1999.
Governance and relationships
The forum is sponsored and chaired by:
ATO Assistant Commissioner
Small and Medium Enterprises
Not For Profit, Government and Complex Technical
The forum provides ATO senior executives and senior representatives of the charities sector with a forum for dialogue, consultation and resolution of issues concerning the administration of the tax system relevant to the sector.
Justification for establishment
The forum was established in August 1999 as a consultative forum through which the ATO could:
- identify ways to minimise the costs of compliance through integrating tax system design and supporting the charities sector to meet their tax obligations
- advise on relevant issues emerging in the sector
- develop better strategies to address compliance risks in the sector
- better understand and meet the communication needs of the sector
- increase awareness of particular taxation issues where relevant
- increase understanding and confidence in the administration of the tax system
- seek feedback on ATO service delivery and performance
- provide an opportunity for the ATO to be open and accountable about the way we work and the thinking behind our decisions and directions.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 15 May 2013