MEDIA RELEASE

11 June 2009

Helping You Get It Right

Inland Revenue has for the first time unveiled the areas it will focus on in the year ahead to make sure people get their taxes right, and claim correct social support payments.

The Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Robert Russell, has released “Helping You Get it Right: Inland Revenue’s compliance focus 2009-10’’ .

The plan discusses tax and social entitlement compliance issues for each customer group, and shows how the department is going to address these issues.

This is the first time Inland Revenue has released a document signalling key compliance focus areas for the coming year.

Mr Russell said most customers are compliant. “A compliant customer follows the legal requirements for registration, filing, reporting, claiming and payment. But there are always people who are non-compliant, for all sorts of reasons.’’

Inland Revenue wants to be open and transparent about compliance matters of concern, he said. “We believe that giving people more information and a greater understanding of the big issues will help them and their advisors to manage their tax affairs and social support entitlements.”

Mr Russell said the current economic environment placed more pressure on people and businesses, and Inland Revenue was providing them with the tools and assistance to get it right.

“We want to support people and businesses to manage their own compliance, and we work with them to get it right if they have made a mistake,” he said.

“We’re continuing to encourage those who are having any difficulties to talk to us early so we can look at appropriate options to help them. ’’

“At the same time, we need to continue to deal firmly and fairly with those who fail to meet their obligations, as well as addressing emerging areas of concern.”

A range of activities are identified in the report, including increased emphasis on online services, earlier interventions when customers are struggling, reducing the time for binding rulings, fostering cooperative relationships with large organisations, supporting tax agents, reduction of fraud, and increased collaboration with other agencies and revenue authorities to combat serious non-compliance.

“We will adapt our priorities during the year to respond to any emerging challenges,” Mr Russell said.

“Helping You Get it Right: Inland Revenue’s compliance focus 2009-10’’ can be viewed at www.ird.govt.nz/aboutir/reports/compliance-focus/compliance-focus-2009-10

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