ATO Announces Review Of Rulings Process

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

11 August 2004

The Australian Tax Office has announced a review aimed at improving its procedures for private rulings on complex tax matters.

According to the ATO, the review will draw on existing successful practices to develop new approaches aimed at raising the complex rulings performance generally, and extending improvements to the private rulings system overall.

The review follows hot on the heels of a “very favourable” Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) report into the rulings process, stated Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody .

"The report says the Tax Office has implemented improvements to its public and private rulings system over and above the ANAO's recommendations," said Mr Carmody, adding:

"Despite this positive report from the ANAO we want to continue to review and improve the community's experience of the tax system."

The project, expected to last three months, will be coordinated by the Tax Office with the advice of an external consultant, as well as input from both internal and external stakeholders.

Recommended