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Australia’s outgoing tax watchdog says the tax commissioner has too much power and needs an independent board overseeing the position.
Inspector General of Taxation Ali Noroozi gave his final public address at the Institute of Public Accountants national congress in Sydney on Friday and spoke frankly about the challenges in the Australian Tax Office.
“Managing the tax system is not just for the ATO or the IGT but every one of you; we are all guardians of the tax system,” he told badembled accountants.
“However, the ATO should have a board with a chair and directors with varying experiences including IT, communications and governance.
“Currently, there is too much power left with one individual and that power should be divested with an independent board.”
The tax office has been under fire for allegedly targeting small businesses with heavy-handed tactics with little oversight or accountability.
Mr Noroozi, who leaves his role next Monday, said his replacement should report directly to parliament, given it handles so many complaints about the ATO.
“There is an issue relating to independence,” he said.
“The IGT should report to Parliament and not be caught in the same mix with the ATO and Treasury reporting to the same minister.”
Mr Noroozi also said the tax office should be accountable for making sure its digital systems worked correctly if it was going to push accountants and taxpayers to use them.
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