ATO Providing Assistance And Support To Tax Agents

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

29 April 2009

Following extensive consultation with tax practitioners and listening to their feedback, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has now put in place an enhanced service delivery model within Tax Practitioner Services.

Tax Practitioner Services brings together the range of services and support programs for tax agents and their tax practices.

According to the ATO, the foundation of the model introduces a more regional/local focus, with each regionally-based team under the leadership of a Director for Tax Practitioner Services. These teams will help improve the ATO's knowledge and perspective about the respective regions and their issues.

Where tax agents have not been able to resolve issues through the use of the Tax Offices' normal channels or offers of assistance, they are encouraged to use the issues management and case management facilities offered by Tax Practitioner Services when they require further support or want to lodge a complaint.

The service offer also includes assistance when a tax agent has an exceptional technical issue – enabling them to talk directly with a senior tax officer or senior subject matter expert to help resolve issues.

Consultation with tax agents is a further feature under this model, with the establishment of the Regional Tax Practitioner Working Groups to help the ATO understand issues affecting tax practitioners.

Lastly, the ATO explained that, central to this strategy of working with tax agents is providing easy access to authoritative information and advice via initiatives such as electronic support through electronic lodgment service, Tax Agent Portal and the ATO website.

Recommended