We strengthened existing stakeholder relations through increased consultation on major policy issues including aggregation, conformity, penalties and interest. Although progress has been made in the establishment of new consultative arrangements, this has been slower than expected due to competing priorities.

Throughout 2007–08 we continued our active client education program with the delivery of increased numbers of seminars to a range of clients, including legal practitioners, accountants, real estate professionals and potential grant applicants. Throughout the year we continued to inform the community of important developments in State taxation through media releases, articles in peak body journals, direct mail to taxpayer representatives and via our website.

Mandatory self-assessment

In the 2007–08 year, mandatory self-assessment of certain duty instruments was introduced via Tasmanian Revenue Online. Tasmanian Revenue Online is our web-based duty-assessment system and was launched in 2002. It allows 24-hour, seven day a week access for registered clients to stamp certain dutiable transactions.

By requiring all high-volume lodgers to self-assess certain transactions, mandatory self-assessment has ensured equality among our clients. This has reduced the number of simple transactions being lodged for assessment, allowing staff to concentrate on more complex and time-consuming transactions.

Audit results

We continued to refine our audit targeting by piloting data-matching techniques and systems used in other jurisdictions. In 2007–08 we identified $27 million of additional revenue through audit activities, a record result for the fourth year in a row. Accurate and timely auditing is one tool we use to ensure that taxpayers are paying the correct amount of tax. Audits also have an educative function for our clients.

Objections, reviews and appeals

Taxpayers have the right to lodge objections, seek reviews and lodge appeals regarding decisions made by Revenue Branch. We ensure that taxpayers are aware of these rights through direct correspondence, via our website and through initiatives such as the Taxpayer Charter. In 2007–08 we finalised 129 objections, with just 25 per cent being allowed in full. Four requests for review were lodged with the Administrative Appeals Division of the Magistrates Court and three matters were referred to the Supreme Court. These matters are yet to be finalised.

The low number of objections allowed is an indication of the high quality of decisions made by Revenue Branch.