Review into Tax Office audit timeframes
Report to the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer
Inspector-General of Taxation
July 2005
© Commonwealth of Australia 2005
ISBN 0 642 74304 5
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19 July 2005
The Hon Mal Brough MP
Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Minister
I am pleased to present to you my report of the Tax Office audit timeframes. The report has been prepared under section 10 of the Inspector-General of Taxation Act 2003 (‘the Act’).
In accordance with the requirements of section 25 of the Act, I have provided the Commissioner of Taxation with the opportunity to respond to the report’s findings and recommendations. His reply and associated comments on individual recommendations have been incorporated into the report. It will be noted that the Commissioner has agreed with all of my recommendations.
I offer my thanks for the co-operative approach of the Tax Office staff and the support and contribution of many professional bodies and businesses. The willingness of many to provide their time in preparing submissions and discussing issues with me and my staff is greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely
David R Vos AM
Inspector-General of Taxation
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 This is the report on the review conducted by the Inspector-General of Taxation (Inspector-General) of the time taken for the Australian Taxation Office (ATO or Tax Office) to complete audits of businesses. It was carried out pursuant to section 10 of the Inspector-General of Taxation Act 2003 (IGT Act).
1.2 The review was announced on 23 November 2004. Its terms of reference are reproduced at Appendix 1 to this report. Details of how the review was conducted are given in Appendix 2.
1.3 The review was conducted pursuant to subsection 8(1) of the IGT Act, being a review conducted on the initiative of the Inspector-General. The decision to undertake the review was prompted by concerns raised by industry and tax practitioners.
1.4 Since announcing that this review was to be commenced, the Tax Office has made or proposed changes to its audit practices and staffing arrangements. These changes made or proposed by the Tax Office are noted in this report wherever relevant.
Acknowledgements
1.5 Sincere thanks are extended to those organisations representing small businesses, accountants and tax practitioners; and, small businesses, accountants and tax practitioners who prepared written submissions for this review made a particularly important contribution.
1.6 The Inspector-General of Taxation acknowledges with sincere thanks the cooperation of the Commissioner of Taxation and his staff.
Next: Chapter 2: Inspector-General’s summary and recommendations
Previous: Index