The evolving role of the Inspector-General of Taxation & Taxation Ombudsman

Inspector-General of Taxation & Taxation Ombudsman, Karen Payne, CTA, is presenting at the 2020 Financial Services Taxation Conference at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne on 5-7 February 2020.

Karen Payne, CTA, was appointed Inspector-General of Taxation & Taxation Ombudsman commencing on 6 May 2019. She leads the Taxation Ombudsman complaints management service for taxpayers and advisers and the Inspector-General of Taxation’s review and public reporting function, both of which are directed at improving the tax administration system for all taxpayers. She brings a wealth of experience and extensive networks to the role of Inspector-General having worked with a range of government and private stakeholders as well as the legal and tax profession, and many industry bodies.

Did you knows he is also speaking at The Tax Summit 2020?

Since taking on the role in May 2019, Karen will provide a comprehensive update at the Financial Services Taxation Conference from the perspective of the Inspector General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman. We caught up with her to hear more about her upcoming presentation.

What will delegates take away from your session?

“Delegates willhear about the evolving role of the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman and how this may assist you,” she says.

“It’s also a great opportunity to have your say in what you think the community expects from good administration of taxation laws.”

Karen will explore the following points:

• What is a tax complaint that you could make to Inspector General & Taxation Ombudsman?
• What powers does Inspector General & Taxation Ombudsman have to investigate tax complaints, ATO action and tax systems generally;
• How does Inspector General & Taxation Ombudsman investigate complaints?
• What remedies are available to Inspector General & Taxation Ombudsman as part of those investigations?
• What are the key areas of complaint and investigation?

How will attending your session help delegates and their clients?

“It is fair to say that at the time I commenced, I did not fully appreciate the powers, functions and purpose of either the Inspector General of Taxation or Taxation Ombudsman in the taxation administration system,” says Karen.

“I also believe, perhaps coloured by my own experience, that the roles are not well understood by the communities they serve.

“Awareness (or rather lack of awareness) of ombudsman services however is not unique to Taxation Ombudsman services - as demonstrated by the observations of Professor Ian Ramsay in the recent Review of the financial system external dispute resolution and compliance framework.”

With the input of delegates, Inspector General & Taxation Ombudsman can improve the tax outcomes not just for a single complainant but ultimately the administration of taxation laws for ALL taxpayers.

Don’t miss Karen’s insightful presentation at the 2020 Financial Services Taxation Conference from 5-7 February 2020 at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. Check out the full program or register here.