Besides providing relevant and easy to understand guidance on taxation and superannuation matters, Tax & Super Australia works to represent the views of its members and stakeholders, through the media, the ATO and the government. Giving voice to practitioner needs
Tax Practitioners Stewardship Group The Tax Practitioner Stewardship Group (TPSG, previously known as the ATO Tax Practitioner Advisory Group) was established in late 1995 to recognise and support the important role tax practitioners play in the administration of the Australian tax and superannuation systems.
The TPSG focuses on the “system in operation” and deals with significant issues in the national interest that are specific to tax practitioners. It is jointly chaired by the ATO’s Deputy Commissioner, Tax Practitioner, Lodgement Strategy and Engagement Support, as well as a nominated professional association representative.
Membership of the TPSG is comprised of senior ATO staff, invited tax practitioner representatives, representatives of professional associations (including Tax & Super Australia’s Senior Tax Specialist David Ebdon) and a representative from both Income Tax Professionals (ITP) and H&R Block.
The TPSG acts in a support capacity with regard to the ATO Consultation Hub framework. It will consider agenda items that are systemic in nature and not specific to individual clients.
As mentioned, Tax & Super Australia is represented on the TPSG, but other professional bodies represented include:
CPA AustraliaChartered Accountants Australia and New ZealandInstitute of Certified BookkeepersInstitute of Public AccountantsNational Tax and Accountants’ AssociationThe Tax Institute.
As a member of the TPSG, Tax & Super Australia’s responsibilities include:
the raising of systemic issues in tax administration, affecting a wider group of tax practitioners or their membership and/or their clients, rather than specific issues affecting a single individualacting in the best interests of the tax and superannuation system as a wholeworking with the Chair to identify top priorities for the work programcontributing to the effectiveness of the group in meeting its purpose as defined in the terms of reference of the groupengaging in constructive, open and frank discussion in bringing a members’ perspective to group discussionsfairly and responsibly representing the views of tax practitioners or their membership in discussions with the ATOcommunicating decisions and activities of the group as agreed with the Chair.
Individuals Stewardship Group The Individuals Stewardship Group (ISG) focuses on issues and topics that are important to the administration of the tax and super system for individual taxpayers. The ISG also helps design new products and services to assist individual taxpayers.
In addition to representatives from the ATO and Treasury — as well as Tax & Super Australia — group members include:
The Australian Shareholders Association (ASA)Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) AustraliaThe Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)National SeniorsEtax AccountantsCARE Financial Counselling ServiceH&R BlockEducators.
ATO Open Forums The ATO Open Forums are free for all tax practitioners to attend – you just need a registered tax agent number to enrol.
Open Forums are an opportunity to meet with the ATO in your area. They form part of the ATO’s broader engagement strategy with registered tax and BAS agents.
The ATOs intention in hosting the forums is to:
hear directly from tax practitioners about matters affecting them, their practice and the broader tax professional communityprovide an opportunity to raise questions for discussion and interact with the ATO in an open environmentallow the ATO to share information on matters of key importance.
Items on the upcoming agenda The next meeting of the ISG is scheduled to be held on Tuesday 14 November, in Canberra. Topics that will be discussed here include:
An overview of the ATO’s IT security processes – particularly for scamsThe ATO’s administration of HELP debts.
Following this, on Friday 17 November, the TPSG will meet in Sydney. Items on the agenda include
Single touch payrollSuperannuation changesContinued ATO outages and computer issues.
Your viewpoint gets a place at the table Tax & Super Australia will be represented by our Senior Tax Specialist David Ebdon, who will be attending both of the above meetings in November. He has been charged with taking member concerns, issues and hot topics to the ATO to make sure members’ voices are heard.
If you have any views in relation to the matters above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via email at info@taxandsuperaustralia.com.au or telephone on (03) 8851 4555.
Giving voice to practitioner needs Giving voice to practitioner needs Giving voice to practitioner needs Giving voice to practitioner needs
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