Released 25/07/2017
The ACT Government will hire specialist investigators to track down tax cheats so everyone pays their fair share towards our schools and hospitals.
The 2016-17 Budget initiative is projected to recoup $27 million for an investment of $5.7 million over four years.
Most Canberrans are already doing the right thing and paying the right level of tax to ensure our essential services are delivered, but they are being ripped off by companies and individuals that don’t pay their fair share. This isn’t fair and it has to stop.
The Government has already confirmed that we will continue our tax reform agenda and lift the payroll tax threshold to $2 million in the 2016/17 Budget. This is a tax break that will support local businesses and support local jobs.
Lifting the payroll tax threshold is a great way to support local businesses, but they deserve a level playing field.
A significant amount of the $5.7 million Budget commitment will go towards the development of a specialist team in the ACT Revenue Office which will have a range of programming, mathematical and statistical skills.
It will also allow the ACT Revenue Office to fully utilise the capability of its new $30 million Revenue IT system, which was funded in the 2014/15 ACT Budget, to identify non-compliance with ACT tax legislation.
Our hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure should not be the victims of tax evasion, and this Budget commitment will allow the government to fund new projects, programs and initiatives that otherwise would not be possible, should tax dodging continue in the ACT.
The initiative will commence in 2016/17 with the revenue impact expected from 2017/18.
The 2016/17 ACT Budget will focus on our health, education, transport and social inclusion priorities – more nurses, more teachers, more transport options and more support for our most vulnerable.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases